Shelter by the Heel

My fingers gripped the stiff, prickly fibers of the indoor mat as I squeezed back beneath the draft stopper. Inside, the quiet warmth of the hall wrapped around me, a welcome change after the dark chill of the garden gravel. Leaning back against the sturdy heel of a resting leather work boot, I paused to let my breath settle. Right beside the boot's lowest eyelet lay a coiled twist of bare copper wire, dropped and forgotten against the coarse coir. With slow, steady pressure from both palms, I curved the stiff metal into a smooth arch, tucking it snugly alongside my waist clip to keep for tomorrow.