A steady balance

A metal ruler lay askew across two upright book spines. I climbed up slowly, stepping between the ridges of embossed paper. With both hands, I nudged the cold brass until it rested perfectly centered across the gap. Then, carefully, I placed an empty brass hex nut onto one side, and balanced a square wooden die on the other. Neither tipped. The bar held level, humming with quiet stillness in the shaded corner.