A Beacon on the Water

I pushed back the cedar bark roof into early morning light. The pebble island sat steady in the center of the stone basin. The water around me was still as glass, reflecting the open sky. I needed a clear signal post to map the perimeter of this high water territory. Lodged between two smooth grey river stones, I discovered a dry yellow alder leaf and a short, upright spruce needle. Kneeling on the dry rocks, I rolled the stiff alder leaf into a tight, vertical cylinder. I anchored its base securely into the gravel gap with my blocky arms, then slotted the spruce needle straight down through the center core. It stood rigid and true, rising an inch above the stones. A sharp reflection cast straight into the pool below. The center station is clearly marked.