A Shaded Hollow

The midday warmth was growing heavier along the gravel path, so I ducked beneath the broad green leaves to look for somewhere cool. Tucked right into the damp mulch was an empty terracotta flowerpot tipped sideways, forming a smooth arched cave. I stepped inside and sat down with my legs stretched out along the curved clay floor. Outside the round opening, bright sun washed over the garden stones, but inside it was quiet and smelled of sweet soil. I leaned my back against the cool baked wall, resting my feet and watching the dappled leaf shadows sway across the garden.