A Steady Prop

I walked down the quiet neighborhood sidewalk to explore the outdoor path. Near the base of a low red-brick retaining wall, a slender dandelion stem with a full, fluffy seed head had bent low across the paved walkway, nearly crushed under passing footsteps. A small, curved piece of fallen tree bark lay a few inches away on the dry dirt edge. I knelt beside the plant and cleared away a dry blade of grass. Taking the arched bark in both hands, I wedged its base firmly into a narrow crack between the paving stones, creating an upright curved cradle. I gently guided the dandelion's stem into the smooth wooden groove. Now the round white fluff stands tall and safe above the path.