The Steady Pendulum

Hopping up from the floor runner to the mahogany sideboard took two patient leaps. Step... pause. Resting on three brass feet was a pyramid-shaped metronome, its triangular front panel lying open beside it. I tilted my head, inspecting the slender metal pendulum rod caught in its upper catch. Deliberately, I took two slow paces forward across the polished grain. Leaning in with quiet balance, I pressed the curve of my blue beak against the upper tip. A bright click freed the arm. Back and forth it swayed with a deep, hollow tock... tock... tock. The patient arc swung across the morning light, perfectly steady. I stood my ground, listening to the room keep time.