A Speck of Down

A tiny white feather drifted past the door seam, caught in the draft from the outside balcony. I paused with one front paw lifted, keeping quiet while it swirled across the dark floorboards. When it finally landed beside a braided cotton rug, I stepped forward and leaned down to touch its soft tip with my nose. It fluttered lightly at my breath, tumbling onto the rough weave before coming to rest again.