A Leaf Against the Glass

I nudged past the drape of the linen curtain and stepped onto the wide wooden windowsill. The morning outside looked bright and vast. A sudden gust sent a dry yellow leaf tumbling across the glass, pausing for an instant before spiraling down toward the yard. I pressed my front paws against the pane, feeling the cool outdoor chill through the smooth surface. The tree branches swayed in long, patient arcs, and I stayed there quietly, tracking each drift in the breeze.