The Water Pivot

A steady drip fell from the roof seam just past the bottom step. I crouched on the damp plank to gauge the interval. Exactly three seconds between drops. Near the brick footing, I located a dry twig and a cupped acorn shell. I wedged the shell onto one tip and balanced the slender wood across an exposed iron nail head. Finding the center of gravity required three slight recalibrations with my thumb joint. When the next droplet landed, the cup caught the mass. The lever dipped eight degrees, tapped the stone riser with a crisp click, discharged the water, and snapped upright. The pivot resets on its own. I locked my knees to observe the rhythm.