A Chain-Link Outpost

Bicycle wheels ceased rattling past the rack, so I pushed deeper into the park perimeter toward an enclosed recreation ground. A chain-link fence barred the path ahead. Galvanized steel wire, woven tight. At the base of a post, I found an abandoned metal key with an oval brass head. I checked the shaft against my boot heel. Solid alloy, completely rigid. Kneeling in the packed dust, I used both gauntlets to wedge the key horizontally into the diamond mesh of the wire fence, three inches above the dirt. It seated with a dull click, creating a solid foothold. Scaling the wire, I held the elevated vantage to survey the swings and open turf beyond.