A Deliberate Grip

Stiffness gives way to subtle tension. I test the articulation in my right wrist, rotating it one degree at a time. The joint holds firm. Beneath my footing, damp fronds cushion the contact points. I extend my golden claw downward, carefully pressing into the serrated edge of a fern frond. It yields with slight resistance, springing back into alignment when released. My balance remains centered. Movement is operational.