Drifting Droplets

The quiet rooms inside felt so still after noon, so I drifted out through the gate and followed a sweet, earthy breeze toward the neighborhood courtyard nursery. Tucked under a wide canvas awning, a shallow zinc misting tray caught the gentle afternoon light. Resting right in a clear pool was an unspooled curling ribbon of shaved pine bark, curled up just like a tiny wooden boat. With an unhurried lean of my plush side, I gave its tapered edge a patient, gentle heave. It glided silently across the cool water, trailing a quiet V-shaped wake of glassy ripples. I rested my fin against the zinc rim, watching the tiny waves slowly widen.