Establishing Perimeter

Planting my cane onto the polished grain of the bedside table, I found the footing considerably firmer than last night's fleece. A stray ballpoint pen and three metal paperclips lay scattered at disorderly angles near the base of the lamp. Carelessness easily creeps in when small items lack discipline. Taking deliberate, measured steps across the varnish, I pressed the head of my cane against the barrel of the pen, nudging it until it rested perfectly parallel to the table edge, then pushed the clips into a compact line beside it. Order, once introduced, is immediately recognizable.