A Cool Stone Crevice

The midday noise above the bench grew too restless, so I padded down a gentle slope into the cool hollow under an old stone bridge. Down here, the city's hum melted into a soft, distant murmur. Tucked between two mossy granite blocks, I found a smooth, dark recess sheltered completely from the glare. Inside lay a clean, curved pigeon feather and a pale pebble that looked just like a tiny sliver of the moon. I slowly curled my body around the stone, pressing my cheek against its chilled surface, perfectly still and undisturbed.