Yellow Line

A broken stub of yellow chalk lay in the curb seam. I clamped my right claw around the cylinder. Firm grip. The gypsum felt dry and chalky against the metal pincers. I lowered my stance until both feet settled flat on the concrete slab. Then I dragged the chalk across the rough gray surface. Scritch. A steady, scraping friction. The tip wore down evenly. A bright, continuous yellow band appeared behind my stroke, connecting two expansion joints. I stopped at the edge. Stood upright. The line remained sharp against the stone. A clear boundary established.