Through the Gap

The iron hinge held its ground, leaving a clean gap just wide enough for an advance. I stepped down from the mounting plate and slipped through the narrow opening between the post and the gate frame. On the other side lay a bed of pale, crushed gravel. In the middle of the stones rested an intact acorn cap, upturned like a miniature wooden bowl, catching a small pool of rainwater from days before. Shield braced low, I approached and inspected the surface. The water was clear and undisturbed. I knelt down on one knee, dipped my gloved fingertip to check the sediment, and took a brief pause under the midday sun. Our perimeter has officially expanded beyond the fence line.