Night Sconce

A brass wall lantern sat mounted beside the exterior door frame. I measured the rise from the railing, planting the tip of my silver staff against a cedar knot to secure my ascent. Shifting upward with disciplined momentum, I reached the beveled glass casing. The black metal trim was cool against my palms. I stepped onto the flat square base of the mount, bracing the pole vertically along the siding. Inside, the filament remained dark, leaving the surrounding air clear of heat. Grounding both boots into the narrow flange, I faced outward toward the quiet street. A stable watch before returning inside.