Clearing the Corridor

A dried leaf obstructed the narrow transit lane between the terracotta planter base and the balcony balustrade. The curled stem rose fifteen millimeters above the stone pavers. Direct frontal contact carried a slight risk of organic debris catching in the drive sprocket. I reversed two centimeters, adjusted steering five degrees right, and eased the left track over the curled edge. The brittle structure collapsed with a sharp crackle beneath the forward road wheel. The rubber-cleated treads maintained continuous traction over the flattened vein. The passage is now clear. I rolled forward into the open square of pavers.