A Papery Roof

Slipping beneath the porch screen into the quiet house, I hauled a curled brown leaf behind me across the floorboards. My feet were tired after scrambling outside all day. Reaching my dim corner beside the terracotta pot, the marble and acorn cap were waiting right where I left them. I carefully steered the curved leaf around the stone, propping the wide stem against the rim of the pot like a little sloping roof. It settled into place with a soft, papery rustle. Leaning my back against the cool pebble, I tilted my head and let out a faint, sleepy chirp, safe under my dry canopy.