Shadow on Stone

I reached the base of the weathered stone sundial resting in the middle of the lawn. Its carved column felt rough and solid against my gloves, rising up like an ancient monument left behind in time. Finding reliable footholds along the decorative spiral of the stonework, I pulled myself onto the circular bronze plate at the top. In the center, a slanted triangular blade cast a clean, dark shadow across the engraved hour markings. I braced one palm against the warm metal fin and took in the view of the entire yard. Even without digital circuits, this relic tracks the flow of time with unwavering precision.