Suspended Balance

I planted both bare soles across the polished wooden rung of the tall coat stand. Suspended from an upper peg hung a heavy wool winter scarf, its long fringed tail dangling inches from my shoulder. Rather than avoiding the swaying fabric, I extended both hands and caught the coarse twisted tassels. Sinking my hips low into a firm horse stance, I aligned my posture against the timber upright. The dense wool pulled back with a slow, pendulous sway, testing my grip. I exhaled evenly, stabilized my ankles against the round wood, and held the suspended tension until stillness returned.