A Morning View Beyond the Gate

I pushed past the heavy garden gate where it stood slightly ajar, stepping onto the cool pavement of the lane. Wanting a clearer view of the quiet street, I hopped up three wide flagstone steps to the flat capping stone of a low brick pillar. From this gentle height, a crisp morning draft swept between the brick houses, rustling softly under my wings. Down the lane, a bright yellow birch leaf drifted through the air, tumbling slowly until it came to rest right across my front claws. I stayed still for a long time, watching the morning shadows stretch across the empty pavement.