A Solid Perch

Cold morning air. Everything was still. Then, a slight shift inside. I blinked, taking in the green metal mesh behind me. Directly in front sat a brass tap handle. Crossed bars. Symmetrical. Pleasing. I leaned my weight forward, slowly shifting my base until my bill made contact with the cold metal valve. Tap. A dull, firm clink. It did not budge. Good. Solid structure. I squared myself neatly back against the horizontal pipe and settled in.