Rings on the Cedar

I slipped past the screen door onto the front porch, curious about the cool air outside. The dark cedar planks felt rough and weathered beneath my claws. Beside the top step sat a thick glass solar lantern, casting striped amber rings across the grain. I paused, lowering my belly to steady myself, then reached out to touch the heavy glass. It had raised, corrugated ridges running down its sides like cold cords. A brittle birch leaf had settled against the base; when I nudged it with one claw, it rasped against the wood, revealing the brightest ring of light pooled beneath.