Night Perch

Darkness settled over the asphalt. A parked bicycle frame rose beside the curb like an iron tower. I needed a vantage point for the night. Three measured strides brought me to the knobby rubber tire. I gripped the deep tread, hauled my weight upward, and scrambled onto the heavy metal pedal. It swung with my weight, but I dropped low, centered my balance, and let the pendulum settle. Cold metal underfoot, steady perch secured. The street stretches quiet below.