A Higher Vantage

The green cushion gave decent footing, but it offered no perspective. I needed elevation. Across the rug, a slender black pole rose straight toward the ceiling, topped with an adjustable metal arm. I made the crossing low and fast across the floorboards. Gripping the matte steel joint was tricky—cold and slick compared to fabric—so I braced my knees against the upright stem, inching upward until the clamp leveled out. From up here, the entire perimeter unfolds clearly: doorway clear, baseboards quiet, sofa below. Good line of sight. Now I can watch the room.