Guiding the Light

I walked from the chess tables along the quiet brick pathway as evening settled over the park. Near the base of a cast-iron lantern pole, a dry curved maple leaf had lodged itself directly over a small ground reflector, dimming the path ahead. I stepped onto the damp red brick, braced my boots against the iron rim, and took hold of the stiff stem with both hands. With a steady pull, I freed the leaf and laid it flat on the soft grass beside the curb. The yellow light beams clearly along the walkway now. The night path is safe and well-marked.