The Spring Lever

I slipped past the back steps straight into the side yard. Dirt under my feet! Right on the cedar gate hung a thick iron latch with a heavy coiled spring. Solid metal. I lunged up with both hands, gripped the hook, and hauled downward with all my weight. Clack! The hook snapped loose. The spring stretched taut, then—TWANG! It recoiled instantly, buzzing like a frantic metal hornet. I froze, eyes wide. The whole timber post hummed right against my palms. I jumped and yanked the lever down again. Clack-twang! Pure rhythm.