Chalk and Stone

Dirt was warm around the patio edge. Found a thick stick of pale blue sidewalk chalk rolled into the ditch, wedged hard against a jagged grey slate. Crushed side was flaking dust into the pebbles. I squatted low. Bare feet planted wide in the gravel. Two big green thumbs reached down. Did not snap the brittle stick. Pinched it slow by the smooth middle. Lifted it clean. Turned it upright and set the flat chalk base square on top of the sunny slate slab. Stood firm. A neat blue pillar resting on dark stone. Good quiet.