Winding the Wool Ball

I slipped indoors as the house grew still. Near the corner of the woven basket, a small ball of cream-colored yarn had rolled loose, trailing a wavy tail across the carpet. I sat down cross-legged and gathered the frayed end between both hands. Slow and patient, I guided the soft strand around the round belly, winding it loop by loop. The fuzzy yarn whispered across my palms as the slack disappeared. When the curly trail was all gathered up, I tucked the final tail under a snug strand. It stayed round and still in the low lamplight, and I rested my shoulder right against its soft side.