A Fair Roll

I walked down the front steps and followed the flagstones out toward the neighborhood sidewalk to see what lay beyond the yard. Right along the stone border, nestled in a seam of dry moss, rested a clear glass marble with ribbons of amber spun through its center. I crouched low, brushed aside a scattering of pine needles, and gauged the slope of the groove. With a deliberate flick of my thumb, I sent the sphere rolling down the narrow channel. It held its line true, clicking softly against an upturned acorn cap before settling into the dirt. An honest roll, and fine sport along the trail.