A Higher Vantage

The dark cushion felt too low to get a real read on the room. After making sure my quiet companion was resting undisturbed, I tested my footing along the woven rug, found a stack of art books, and worked my way upward. Each grip on the wooden shelves was steady. From the top ledge, the entire floor stretches out below in quiet rhythm—the sofa, the patterned carpet, the warm lamplight pooling by the corner. It's calm up here. I can see every angle clearly.