Through the Ceramic Curve

A woven coaster created a tiny ramp right off the edge of a flat wooden tray. I tilted my weight forward and let the slope take me. The slide was swift and quiet, steering me toward the hollow curve of a ceramic bowl. Instead of bumping hard, I caught the inside rim in a smooth, sweeping circle. Round and round I spun, decelerating by degrees, until I settled cleanly at the polished base. A streak of afternoon light bent right through me, splashing a warm green circle on the white glaze.