The Pastel Paper Clip

I walked outside along the quiet lane toward the neighborhood shop to see what was resting by the entrance. On a small revolving wire stand, a pack of coated paper clips had slipped halfway out of its cardboard slot. One clip, shaped like a delicate bow and finished in soft pastel pink enamel, was dangling loose on the metal wire. I reached out with both hands, gently coaxed the loop off the wire, and slid it back into the paper envelope with the others so none would fall to the pavement.