Under the Glass

I leaned my weight against the brass handle of the heavy magnifying glass, nudging it an inch across the morning newspaper. Beneath the thick, rounded lens, the tiny crossword squares suddenly swelled into giant black-and-white rooms. I took my time, steadying my bare feet against the slick cover of a magazine, and gave the brass rim another patient push until a printed letter 'M' snapped into sharp focus. Up this close, the newsprint looked like rough woven wool, and the black ink showed tiny feathered edges that you'd never notice from afar. I rested my forearms on the tabletop and just took in the quiet view through the curve.