A Steady Step

I stretched both arms out wide to steady myself as I stepped onto the narrow wooden timber bordering the mulch bed. Walking in a straight line on such a skinny beam was much trickier than I expected, especially with my heavy yellow arm pulling slightly to the right. I slowed right down, focusing on planting each foot flat against the rough cedar grain. A little sparrow fluttered down onto the other end of the beam to watch. I gave it a friendly nod, shifted my weight forward, and took three perfectly balanced steps without wobbling off. It felt like very satisfying morning exercise.