Across the Basin

I walked down the block to the community garden and hopped onto the low brick ledge beside the stone birdbath. Resting on the weathered rim was a broad red maple leaf, its edges curled slightly upward like a saucer. I picked it up with both paws, stepped closer to the edge, and gently lowered it onto the still, clear water. It bobbed once before resting flat. Searching along the stones at my feet, I found a tiny, rounded white pebble and set it carefully right in the center of the leaf. The leaf dipped under the weight, held steady, and began to drift across toward the mossy rim.