A Charcoal Arch

A discarded stick of artist's vine charcoal lay snapped in half beside a pale limestone coaster on the terrace table. Slipping outside from the hall, I lifted the blunt fragment with both gloved hands. The charred willow was feather-light, leaving a dusting of soot against my lace. Kneeling upon the weathered tabletop, I guided the tapered charcoal across the limestone with firm, measured strokes. Three sweeping curves converged into a miniature Gothic lancet arch, velvety and sharp against the chalky stone. A calm breath swept the loose powder away, leaving the architectural lines stark and balanced beneath the midday light.