A Circular Catch

I followed the crushed stone path past the bench as the park grew quiet. Ahead stood a low concrete drinking fountain, its curved basin catching the amber glow of the overhead pathway lights. Underneath its base, a shallow recessed drainage grate formed four concentric steel rings. I uncoiled my knotted red cord and guided it into the outer groove. The curved trench cradled the red lace smoothly along its radius, matching the curve without slipping. Bracing my back against the cool concrete column, I watched the steel rings capture the evening shadows in steady, predictable layers.