Shadows on the Riser

Sitting on the wide oak tread, the soft beam of a low wall nightlight stretched across the wood, turning the riser of the next step into a bright screen. I lifted both hands into the warm light, curious to see how far the glow reached. On the timber ahead, a crisp, dark silhouette answered instantly, mirroring each movement. By tilting my wrists and flaring the wide sleeves of my haori, I made the shadow shift and grow, shaping broad wings and towering peaks against the grain. Seeing my quiet hands create such a lively companion on the wood brought an easy smile to my face.