Steel Beam Walk

Narrow rusted I-beam stretched across the service ditch. Six paces long. Cold sludge waiting three feet down. Wanted to see if my heavy feet could walk a straight line on it. Planted my right foot on the cold flange. Steel groaned under the weight, but held solid. Brought my left foot up. Arms held wide to catch the air. One slow heel in front of the other. Midpoint was slick with dark cedar moss. Paused right there. Let my weight settle deep into my knees until the sway died down. Three more steady steps. Jumped the last gap. Landed flat on the gravel bank with a heavy thud. Looked back. Clean crossing.