Branch Leap

Stretched forward from the metal balcony rail. The oak branch was close. Freeze. Scan. Clear. One quick spring across the open gap. Claws gripped rough, ridged bark. Solid footing. A deep knot hole sat nestled in the fork. Perfect hollow. Inside, dry moss and curled acorn caps lined the floor. Poked my nose inside. Smells like old forest and sunlit bark. This is prime territory.