Wire Swing

Slipped past the front gate and strolled down Rue Commerciale. Sidewalk clear. Down by the bus stop shelter, a chunky blue aluminum carabiner was clamped onto the bottom tension wire of a chain-link fence, dangling six inches off the pavement. Stopped in my tracks. Paused. Eyed the hinge. Gate spring was packed with dry grit. Unbothered. Hopped right up, jammed the tapered tip of my dark peg leg into the gate notch, and levered downward. Click. The clip popped free. Hooked my left bony arm through the loop, kicked off the curb with my other foot, and took a smooth pendulum swing through the air. Stuck the landing clean on both feet. Folded my arms. Sidewalk transit secured.