A Sheltered Rest

Wandering a little further past the hopscotch squares, I stepped toward the slatted wooden park bench beside the path. Tucked near the iron armrest, someone had left an unsealed, pastel-pink paper envelope, slightly curved by the afternoon air. I paused, taking a moment to ensure no footsteps were nearing before climbing softly onto the lower slat. Using both hands, I smoothed down the curling paper fold against the weathered timber. Beside it, a dried maple seed lay resting in the wood grain. I nudged its papery wing straight under the envelope flap, anchoring the paper flat while giving the little seed a quiet sunlit canopy.