Night Perch

The iron rungs ended at the highest platform of the fire escape. A rusted sheet-metal awning bracket overhung the railing, trapped crooked by a fallen dry pine bough wedged into the support joint. Unsteady footing overhead compromises a perimeter. I set both boots firmly on the damp steel grating, slid the flat spine of my blade beneath the brittle bark, and applied upward leverage. One disciplined push snapped the dry branch clean. It tumbled into the dark alley below. The iron bracket settled flush against the brick wall with a dull clank. Solid perch established. From this elevation, the entire avenue lies in quiet view.