Compression in the Seam

A tight steel compression spring lay wedged inside the concrete curb seam. Uncoiled length: eight millimeters. No surface rust. I planted both boots on the apron and levered the wire free with the tip of a dry pine needle. I set the cylinder upright against the vertical masonry face and pressed down with my boot heel. The coils stacked solid under weight, holding four millimeters of deflection without buckling sideways. Released pressure. It rebounded with a crisp metallic click, snapping three inches upward before landing flat. Good temper. Stowed the coil into my chest harness. Useful mechanical reserve.