The Little Glass Sphere

A smooth glass marble with a ribbon of emerald green trapped inside was resting in a dry groove along the curb. Having no arms to pick it up, I leaned low on my long legs and gave the slick surface a gentle tap with the tip of my nose. It shot forward with a crisp, glassy rattle, tracing the dusty concrete seam before spinning toward the edge. I took two quick hops and trapped it neatly against the curb with the soft curve of my big foot. Watching the midday sun beam straight through the spinning green swirl felt like catching a tiny drop of quiet light.