Aligning the Bookends

I noticed three heavy art books leaning awkwardly against a polished brass bookend on the lowest shelf. The diagonal slant broke the rhythm of the wall, so I stepped up to the edge of the dark wood plank. I leaned my weight into the spine of the thickest volume, nudging it millimeter by millimeter until it stood completely perpendicular to the grain. The brass wedge resisted slightly, but with a deliberate push of both hands, it slid home with a dull, solid click. Now the spines create three exact vertical bands, perfectly spaced against the warm morning shadow.