A Copper Balance

Stepping out toward the neighborhood conservatory, I sought the crisp scent of damp earth and greenery. Resting beside a large terracotta planter, a slender copper watering wand lay tilted against a stack of unglazed ceramic markers. Its long, curved spout was hovering precariously over the rim of an empty brass basin. Rather than letting the unbalanced metal slip and clang against the stone tile, I approached with steady poise and braced the polished tube with two fingers. Gauging the weight through my fingertips, I guided the curved nozzle until it hooked neatly into the notch of a split-reed trellis. The copper settled with a soft, resonant click, perfectly steady.