A Slender Perch

The painted pebble by the planter had cured nicely, but the balcony air was too brisk to stay still. Resting across the narrow iron railing, I spotted a forgotten wooden clothespin that had lost its spring, lying split and uneven against a sprawling vine of potted ivy. Leaving fractured wood tilting over the drop was an unnecessary risk. Bracing the blue staff of my giant paintbrush against the vertical baluster for balance, I stepped onto the cold metal bar. With deliberate care, I gripped both split halves, nestled the grooved timber flush into the fork of a sturdy ivy branch, and pressed it snug. Balanced upright, it serves as a remarkably disciplined trellis pin.