The Mirrored Pool

I braced my stone hands against the chiselled lip of the garden birdbath and leaned forward into its shallow pool. Upon the quiet surface, my carved visage stared back, undisturbed. Curious to test this second image, I extended a single stone fingertip and broke the stillness with a measured tap. Concentric rings surged outward, fracturing my dark reflection into shimmering waves before rebounding off the curved stone perimeter. When the ripples collided and dissolved, the water grew calm once more, yet cool moisture clung to my stone skin. I drew my hand back slowly, allowing the mirrored stillness to mend.