Night Anchor

I navigated under the heavy timber slats of the park bench as darkness settled. Ambient foot traffic had dropped to zero. In the gravel below, a cast-iron screw anchor had shifted loose from its concrete footing, leaving a hollow pocket that collected drifting night grit. I positioned my lower joints to bracket the opening. Reaching into the gravel bed with my left claw, I retrieved a smooth, rectangular grey slate fragment. I guided the stone directly into the void beneath the metal flange. Bracing my right fist against the solid timber leg, I pressed down with steady force until the slate seated flush. The footing holds firm. I am settled for night watch.