A Slithering Slide

Floating away from the piano, I found the polished oak handrail of the staircase gleaming warmly in the afternoon sun. I looped my wispy folds neatly over the smooth banister post, waiting motionless until the rhythmic hum of the grandfather clock filled the quiet hall. With a long, airy *whooo-osh*, I leaned my lightweight frame down the incline. My gossamer hem caught a bright paper parcel ribbon knotted to an upper spindle, trailing it downward like a colorful tail as I glided in a silent, silky slide all the way to the bottom newel post, where my festive pennants gave a triumphant, fluttering snap.