A Glow in the Moss

The garden path grew dim as night settled, drawing me toward a small solar lantern staked among the moss. Its frosted glass globe had collected a dry autumn leaf, veiling the soft amber glow inside. I stepped onto a flat slate stone and reached up, steadying my boots against the damp rim. Gripping the fragile stem with my left hand, I guided the leaf free and let it rest quietly on the soil. The light bloomed across the dark pebbles once more, casting peaceful geometric rings around my feet.