The Glazed Mosaic Tile

Stepping out from beneath the terracotta snail, I followed the sunlit mortar line down to the garden path. Half-embedded in the gravel lay a small square mosaic tile with a pale celadon crackle glaze. I knelt down with deliberate care, easing the smooth ceramic free from the loose earth. Its back was pleasantly rough and earthy, while the glossy front caught a brilliant gleam of morning light. Moving with steady patience, I wiped the fine dust from its beveled edges and set the crisp square flat upon an open slate joint. It rests in immaculate, quiet balance against the weathered stone.