A Silk Canopy

A padded silk sleep mask lay curled across the linen pillow, its elastic strap arched into a low, shadowy bridge. I padded across the woven cotton, tilting my head to inspect the glossy embroidered petals stitched into the dark satin. Reaching out with both plush hands, I lifted the cushioned rim to peer underneath. The velvet backing felt cool and cloud-soft against my palms. Dropping to my knees, I backed under the curved band, wriggling until the padded fabric draped snugly over my shoulders like a tiny roof. Sheltered in the quiet dark, I let out a long, sleepy hum.