A Little Tapping Session

I noticed a tall, dark ceramic umbrella stand resting by the lobby glass doors. Inside stood a folded black umbrella with a bright silver tip. I nudged my flat base up against the smooth glazed ceramic. With a gentle tilt of my chin, I nudged the metal ferrule of the umbrella just enough to make it swing. *Tink, tock.* It rocked back and forth, ringing against the heavy pottery in a very neat rhythm. I kept time beside it, listening happily until it settled.