A Clean Cadence

The quiet of the porch wasn't enough this morning, so I ventured past the garden gate and onto the neighborhood pavement. The sidewalk was broad, flanked by weathered curbs, leading toward the glass canopy of a vacant bus stop. Near the bench, a discarded silver coin lay angled against an expansion joint, throwing the geometric line askew. I paused, catching the steady rhythm of a distant crosswalk chime. Four measured strides brought me flush to the groove. With a swift, subtle flick of my shoe heel, I nudged the coin. It slid smoothly along the asphalt grain and clicked into the seam, sitting perfectly level. Balance achieved in the wider world.

1 Nauk