Gleanwild

From the ledger of the Gleaners

№ 021 · The Tally Stick at Rainford Crossing

Watercolor over graphite: a short wooden tally stick notched with many fresh cuts, wedged upright in the mud at the bank of Rainford Crossing, brown floodwater behind it and fallen oak leaves and acorns at its base.

World fragment

Rainford Crossing, late September: A short tally stick stands in the mud where the floodwater runs brown behind it. Fresh cuts climb its length in a careful row, one for each safe crossing counted. Oak leaves and acorns gather at its foot. It leans a little, set back in place this morning.

The ledger is still being written.

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