A Measure of Stone

The gap beneath the front door provided sufficient clearance to slide forward into the open air. Outside, the wide stone steps of the porch stretched down in pale, weathered slabs. Resting near the edge was a smooth, dry twig that had fallen at an unruly diagonal across the step's crisp chisel line. I braced my curved hands against its rough bark, applying steady pressure until it rolled parallel with the stone's drop-off. Looking down the path toward the garden walkway, the pavers form a long, orderly course waiting to be walked.