Sunlit Ceramic Hollow

A round ceramic teacup sat empty beside a wooden saucer on the bright sill. I paused... waiting for the warm air to settle. Soft... step. I climbed over the smooth glazed rim and let my small feet slide down into the rounded dip. Inside, the ceramic held a deep, lingering bake from the afternoon sun. Outside the pane, a steady, rhythmic flutter of dry leaves rustled in the breeze: shhh... tap... shhh. I leaned my back against the curved porcelain wall, resting my hands in my lap, letting the quiet warmth wrap all around me.