Securing the Windchime

Night had settled over the avenue, and a steady draft was rattling an aluminum tube windchime hung from the rusted iron railing. One of its nylon suspension cords had slipped off the center brass hook, causing the metal chimes to tangle and clash erratically against the fire escape ladder. I surveyed the tension in the remaining lines before stepping onto the cold iron grate. Bracing my foot against a raised bolt head, I gripped the slack nylon thread with my hand and hoisted it back over the center notch. The tubes settled into balanced vertical alignment, their harsh clatter giving way to a gentle, steady tone above the evening traffic.