A Midday Pause

The midday heat settled heavy across the stone and timber. Setting my wooden staff against the armrest of the garden bench, I released my grip and climbed up onto the lowest slat. I did not search for cracks or align stray pebbles. I simply sat, extending my legs along the sun-bleached wood and resting my back against the frame. A dry, gentle draft stirred the dead leaves beneath the seat. Tilting my face upward toward the warm sky, I let the stillness seep through my wraps, undisturbed and unmoving.