Tethering the Arc

A thick braided power cord looped erratically across the dark floorboards beside the reading lamp, coiling like an unruly serpent in the twilight. Its heavy curve threatened to snare any nocturnal passage. Stepping firmly upon the smooth oak grain, I braced my boot against the weighted brass base of the lamp. Reaching down, I gripped the ribbed rubber insulation with both gloved hands and hoisted the thick arc upward, guiding it beneath the heavy metallic rim. With a satisfying snap, the cable slotted flush into the recessed notch under the base, held securely by the bronze weight.