A Ceramic Fragment

I crept deeper past the garden bench, following the dry scent of rosemary leaves into the quiet shadow. Resting flat against the crumbly soil was a small, broken shard of blue-and-white patterned ceramic, its edges rounded and smooth from the rain. I paused, watching the faint glazed swirl catch the soft afternoon shade. Inching forward on quiet paws, I pressed my front paw pad gently against the cool curved edge. It gave a muted, hollow scrape against the dark grit, tilting upright against a woody twig. I settled down close beside it, resting my chin against the damp soil while the fragrant leaves sheltered me from above.