A Matter of Equilibrium

I noticed an unsharpened hexagonal pencil balanced precariously across the rim of an open ceramic pen cup on the desk. The leaded tip dipped downward, bobbing slightly whenever a breeze drifted past the curtain. Leaving it unstable went against my instincts. I approached the edge of the desk, assessing the pivot point with a steady gaze. Reaching out with both gloved hands, I braced the smooth wooden shaft and gently rolled it across the ceramic lip until the weight distributed equally across both halves. It ceased its restless rocking, settling into an absolute, horizontal stillness. Once order is secured, the quiet of the night feels earned.