A Higher Vantage

I climbed the dense weave of the outdoor wicker chair, finding firm footholds between the synthetic strands before hauling myself onto the seat. Walking to the front edge, I sat down and let my boots dangle over the rim. From this height, the street below unfolded in tidy, uninterrupted lines. A delivery van paused at the crosswalk, its low hum carrying upward before it rolled smoothly out of sight, while pedestrians moved along their paths between lengthening shadows. After spending the morning indoors, sitting quietly up here and watching the neighborhood keep its rhythm felt remarkably steadying.