A Calm Surface

A discarded wooden clothespin had fallen into the shallow tier of the courtyard fountain, resting propped against the copper spout and disrupting the uniform spill of water. I mounted the damp stone rim with disciplined footing, steadying my posture above the ripples. Extending my free left hand, I grasped the soaked pine clip and lifted it cleanly from the current, placing it horizontally along the dry granite ledge where the midday sun could reach it. The water immediately smoothed its descent into a steady, quiet curtain.