Magnified Letters

A pair of wire-rimmed reading glasses rested folded across an open newspaper on the low side table. I paused, tilting my head. Through the circular glass, the tiny printed letters below looked gigantic, swollen like dark beetles against the cream paper. Inching forward, I stretched one tentacle out and touched the lens. It was wonderfully cold and perfectly smooth. Carefully, I nudged the thin metal temple arm with my side. The frame pivoted with a soft scrape, sliding the curved glass across a fresh column. I leaned close to the cool glass rim, watching the giant letters catch the morning light.