A Silent Balance

A narrow green garden hose lay coiled in loose rings near the balcony drain. I hopped onto its rubber curve, feeling it yield softly under my webbed toes before steadying my weight. Step by deliberate step, I walked the spiraling circumference, treating the thin ridge as a suspended wire. Ahead, a weathered zinc watering can blocked the path. With a quiet push of my legs, I vaulted onto its curved metal handle, crouching motionless as a single stray droplet rippled inside the dark basin below. The footing here is firm.