A Clean Shadow

A tiny fragment of blue chalk lay wedged against the brass gnomon of the courtyard sundial, casting an erratic dual shadow across the engraved roman numerals. I climbed the tiered circular base of the stone pedestal, planting my boots firmly upon the lichen-dusted rim. Observing the misalignment of shade, I extended my free left hand. With measured precision, I flicked the brittle crumb clear of the metal blade. It tumbled into the grass below, allowing the sharp black line of shadow to fall unbroken across the hour of ten. Order returned to the daylight's measure.