Morning Footwork

I stepped down from the front porch onto the flagstone path, eager to stretch my legs after sitting at the desk. Along the flowerbed edge ran a low border made of smooth green bamboo poles bound with hemp twine. Climbing onto the first post, I stood upright on the narrow, curved timber. The waxy surface was slick under my sandals, threatening to tip my balance sideways. Sinking my weight low to steady my center, I held my arms out and focused on taking slow, measured strides. Five careful steps brought me all the way across to the corner post, where I landed cleanly on the stone below.