A Slender Balance

I noticed a single dried lavender stem resting beside a round glass paperweight. Its purple buds were brittle and leaning unevenly across the dark oak grain. Instead of brushing it away, I stood beside the glass dome and studied its curves. With steady hands, I lifted the slender stalk and eased its woody stem into the narrow crescent gap beneath the base of the paperweight. The curve of the glass now supports its delicate length, holding it suspended just above the timber in quiet poise.