Firm Ground

My hand held a rigid salute beneath the towering golden lights. Then, a pulse moved through my chest. I eased my fingers, testing the flex of each knuckle against the open air. The stance was no longer frozen. Taking one deliberate step forward on the blue walkway, I reached out and rested my palm against the cool metal scaffold beside me. The steel was solid. My footing was steady. I am fully awake and standing ready.