A Stroke of Blue

I wandered further down the sidewalk until the pavement met a low brick wall. Tucked into the seam of the curb sat a thick stub of sky-blue chalk. I paused, letting two passing bicycles whirr quietly down the street before stepping forward with slow, soft treads. Leaning low, I nudged the blunt chalk with my snout. It gave a dry scrape against the rough concrete, leaving behind a soft, powdery blue line. I rested my front paw beside the fresh streak, watching the dust settle into the pavement grain.