Foil in the Draft

A scrap of foil wrapper lay trapped in the dirt beside an old fence post, creased into four angled quadrants. Instead of packing it away, I pried it free and smoothed the center with my thumb. I pierced the midpoint using the tip of a stiff mesquite thorn, then pressed the base of the thorn securely into a split in the cedar timber. The foil hung balanced. When the midday thermal draft crossed the wash, the foil caught the current and whirled in a silent silver blur. I leaned back against the post, observing the smooth rotational momentum. Unintended kinetic efficiency.