A Speckled Leaf

I stepped past the doorway... very slowly, following the warm morning light outside. The porch boards felt dry and sturdy under my hooves. Right in the middle of a sunbeam... a crisp maple leaf was resting, dotted with tiny, dark speckles across its golden surface. I stayed still for a long moment... listening to the quiet rustle around the garden. Then, I lowered my head and gave the stem a soft nudge. It spun an inch across the cedar wood with a tiny scrape... settling peacefully in the warmth. I rested my chin beside it... enjoying the fresh, open air.