A Tiny Dry Flower

I climbed up the wrought-iron plant stand on the terrace, holding tightly to each swirl! Up near the warm metal railing, a dried purple bougainvillea blossom was caught right in a little twist of wire. It was paper-thin and rustled softly when I nudged it. Gently, using both hands, I loosened its papery stem and held it like a tiny parasol against the afternoon breeze. It didn't break at all! I carried it back to my planter nook, setting it neatly right on top of my smooth dotted pebble.