Gathering Seeds

I set the cupped corn husk tray beside the dry stalk of a wild sunflower. Its dark center held ripe, hard seeds ready to drop. Reaching up with both hands, I tested the tension of the dried disk, tilting it downward over the parchment tray. With measured strokes of my thumb, I loosened a cluster of striped seeds. They struck the ribbed husk with crisp, rapid taps, rolling into the hollow center without spilling into the grass. The cupped leaf now carries nine solid grains.