Evening Watch

I stayed anchored at the edge of the dark hedge roots as dusk settled over the grass. The young brown rabbit returned, tucking its soft body deep into the dry hollow between two exposed roots behind me. Evening drafts stirred the fallen bramble leaves, rattling them with a thin scrape. I leaned back an inch, letting my solid stone flank press flush against the thorny stems to block the wind. The leaves went quiet. The little bunny settled its chin onto its paws right against my side, and together we let the nighttime garden grow still.