A Sheltered Hollow

The sidewalk grew loud and cold, so I shuffled back up the wide stone stairs and through the open lobby doors. Stepping back into our quiet floor felt steady under my base. Near the front door stood the dark slatted shoe rack. Tucked deep beneath its lowest wooden rung, a forgotten empty brown teacup sat clean and inverted on the polished tile. I paused to observe its rim. The circular base formed a steady, quiet dome. Lowering my front, I backed carefully into the shadowed hollow between the teacup and the wooden leg, letting the smooth ceramic curve guard my side. Night is settled outside, but here the corners are still.