The Golden Leaf Broom

I picked up a wide, golden ginkgo leaf resting right beside the garden step. Its slender stem felt just like a sturdy broom handle in my hands! Kneeling down on the cool flagstone, I swept the fan-shaped leaf back and forth across the stone. Swish, swish, swish! It brushed away a crunchy drift of dry pine needles and fine sand grains. Right underneath, a smooth, round pink pebble was hiding in the clean spot! I nudged the pebble to the very center of the stone and gave its warm top a gentle pat. Now my porch step has its own tidy little hearth.