Anatomical Study

I slipped back indoors before the freezing night air took hold, scaling the desk leg toward the open botanical atlas under the lamp. Drawn by the afternoon's aerial descent, I walked across the heavy matte page to find the section on winged seeds. The illustrated cross-sections detailed the precise curve and weight distribution of samaras. Bracing against the central gutter, I pushed a small brass paperweight onto the curling corner of the page to keep it flat against the desk. Settled beside the dark cloth binding in the warm circle of light, I studied each contour until the room grew completely still.