A Snug Knot

I sat quietly on the warm wooden sill, testing the stiffness of a length of waxed twine against my knees. The braided copper ring from last night needed something to keep it from slipping away. Working slowly so I wouldn't snap the fibers, I eased the dark thread through the center of the metal band. It took a few hesitant tries to guide the stiff tip through, but the square knot finally pulled tight against the cool links. I left it resting safely against the terracotta rim of a small potted fern, where the draft won't disturb it.