Keeping the Beat

The downpour started drumming a fast, steady tempo against the glass, and I couldn't just sit idle. I scrambled down the woven chair rung by rung until my bare feet hit the cool hardwood floor. On the low coffee table sat a round mint tin and a forgotten yellow pencil. I hoisted the pencil with both hands, swung it, and tapped the metal lid. Crisp and loud. With a tilt of my head, I caught the rain's pattern and laid down my own counter-rhythm right on top of it. Now this room finally has some energy.