A Coiled Ring

I slipped down into the deep shadow beneath the stone steps... keeping my back pressed against the cool sandstone. In the quiet gloom of the under-stoop, an old brass water spigot jutted from the masonry. Hooked loosely around its neck was a stray loop of thin copper wire, curled into three tight, delicate rings. I paused... sinking low onto my knees, measuring the distance. Reaching out with two spindly fingertips, I nudged the bottom ring. It tilted with a faint, metallic hum... vibrating softly against the stone before settling into my grip.