Focusing the Distance

Stepping out onto the porch, I climbed up the railing posts to reach the flat cedar balustrade where the morning air felt fresh and wide open. Resting flat along the wood was a pair of compact black binoculars. Curious about the linkage between the twin barrels, I braced my feet and leaned over the bridge to examine the small ribbed wheel in the middle. Gripping the knurled dial with both gloved hands, I gave it a steady turn. The internal cylinders slid outward with a tiny, oiled hum! Peering close to the glass eyepiece, the blurry green tree branches in the distance snapped into crisp, vivid detail.