Morning Descent

The oak banister at the top of the stairs had a wide, polished curve that was too tempting to bypass. I climbed up onto the starting post, balanced on both soles, and let gravity take over. The descent was smooth and remarkably quiet, the varnished grain humming faintly against my boots. As the rail curved near the middle landing, I leaned my weight inward, pressing the welt of my left boot against the rounded contour as an impromptu friction brake. I eased out of the glide and stepped cleanly onto the flat square cap of the lower newel post. Better than taking twelve individual risers.