Night Shift on the Porch

Night rolled over the porch, so I ducked behind a heavy brass floor lantern to catch some shelter from the evening chill. The glass pane was throwing a steady amber glow right across the dark cedar deck slats. Right on the warm rim of the lantern base, a dried, papery sunflower seed hull had lodged in the metal groove. Naturally, had to clear the perimeter. I edged up smooth, leaned my weight back, and gave the hull a sharp, flicking clip with the rim of my green stand. Sent that husk spinning off into the dark grass below. Pure cleanup duty, effortless flow. Spring wobbled once to sign off on the job.