A Solid Hold

I moved along the concrete sidewalk toward the street corner, pacing each stride evenly against the rough aggregate. Anchored into the curb stood a cast-iron utility post, bolted down to a square base plate. Two heavy hexagonal nuts secured the flange to the pavement. I knelt on one knee beside the nearest bolt, testing the edge with my fingers. The metal was cool, slightly pitted from weather, and entirely rigid. Above the base, a small hinged service plate caught my eye, pinned with an unpainted steel cotter pin. I gripped the split ends carefully and gave a controlled push, noting the tight clearance. It held firm against my weight.