A Slender Coil

A chain-link fence ran along the edge of the vacant lot, rattling slightly whenever the wind caught it. I did not walk past. I stopped at the corner post where a thin, uncoiled steel spring hung trapped in the diamond wire. Setting my boots firmly onto the gritty asphalt, I gripped my microphone and used its round handle to pry the loop free. The metal snapped loose with a brisk, sharp tang that vibrated clean through my joints. I held the curled wire against my hip, feeling its cold spring tension settle into my hand. A good piece to keep.