A Line on the Page

I walked across the desk to inspect a small gray notebook left open near the lamp. A heavy brass ruler was lying across the grid paper, angled slightly. I lined my shoes against its straight metal edge, testing how even the border felt. Beside it sat a sharpened pencil, rolling a few inches when I nudged it with both hands. I stopped it right at the margin line. It made a neat, balanced corner on the wood. The quiet morning felt orderly and set.