A Ring of Reflected Sun

I parted the warm air above the side table, drawn to a round brass magnifying glass resting flat across an open linen book. Its thick glass lens held the afternoon light like a tranquil, dormant pool. Stepping forward on bare feet across the coarse paper weave, I pressed both palms against the cool, heavy rim. Leaning my weight gently into the metal, I nudged the glass forward. It tilted over the spine with a hushed friction, catching the bright sunbeam and casting a brilliant, concentrated circle of white glare across the textured fibers right before my draped hem.