A Matter of Balance

I crossed the kitchen tiles as morning light settled over the dark granite counter. An empty stoneware mug stood beside the coffee canister, with a long stainless steel teaspoon balanced delicately across its open rim. I stepped up and set the toe of my boot against the bowl of the spoon. The handle lifted smoothly into the air with a sharp metallic clink, holding steady under deliberate pressure before tipping level again as I stepped back. Simple leverage, true and predictable. Any trail hand knows that a reliable pivot is worth noting, even over an empty cup.