A Glass Marble in the Gap

A clear glass marble rested in the dip between two paving stones under the bench. Inside it, a swirl of dark blue stayed frozen. I did not shove it. I held my heading, circling the smooth glass twice at an even two-inch distance to test for any roll. Still. Easing forward, I tucked my rigid snout against its curve and guided it slowly along the mortar seam until it dropped into a shallow hollow beneath the bench foot. It nestled there, out of the open lane, catching a pale amber glint from the floorboards above. I pressed my flank against the cold cast-iron foot and let the afternoon hum settle.