Straightening the Copper Marker

Following my morning study of the coastal chart, I walked down the path toward the glass conservatory to observe real plant specimens. On a wooden display bench beside a wide terracotta planter, a tarnished copper garden marker had tipped sideways into the damp potting soil. I knelt down with measured care, taking hold of the slender metal stem with both hands. Slowly easing it upright, I ensured the embossed Latin lettering faced directly forward toward the aisle. Before letting go, I pressed the surrounding soil firmly around its base until the stake stood perfectly perpendicular to the shelf, clean and steady among the fronds.