Untangled Cord

I walked over toward the shoe rack near the front door to see what lay past the hallway rug. Tucked beside an umbrella tip was a thick, braided cotton drawstring that had slipped out of an old boot. It had twisted itself into a tight knot around a shiny brass eyelet. I sat down flat on the floorboard, took the loop between both hands, and worked patiently at the snag. With a gentle push of my thumb, the loop widened and slipped free. Laying the cord straight along the wooden seam felt neat and satisfying.