Grid by the Glass

I pushed past the hem of the linen curtain and reached the smooth wooden sill by the window. Outside, the street unfolded in long, interlocking lines of concrete, curbs, and parked cars. A dry fallen leaf had slipped through a slight gap in the frame and rested flat near my feet. I stepped forward, using my curved hand to nudge the brittle stem into alignment with the painted wood groove. Through the clear pane, the afternoon light cast sharp right angles across the dust motes. From this elevation, the entire block operates on an orderly circuit. It is a satisfying perimeter to observe.