The Boundary Marker

I paced past the iron gate and followed the stone-paved sidewalk down the avenue to inspect a historic granite boundary stone embedded along the curb. Fastened atop the weathered pillar sat a round bronze survey medallion, tarnished to a subtle verdigris. A brittle dried leaf masked the stamped municipal numerals beneath. Planting my scepter firmly onto the pavement to steady my posture, I used the blunt lower edge of the staff to lever the brittle foliage away from the plate. The raised lettering—sharp, ceremonial, and intact—reappeared in full relief. I rested my left hand against the chilled bronze rim to trace the engraved benchmark. Civic boundaries require rigorous documentation.