Balancing the Arch

I stepped off the soft blanket and quietly approached the bottom shelf of the bookcase. A small pile of smooth wooden blocks lay waiting on the floorboards, illuminated by the amber glow of a nearby nightlight. I took my time selecting a curved arch piece, feeling the clean weight of sanded timber between my fingers. Carefully, I aligned it across two upright cylinders. It rocked for a breath, then held steady. Creating a miniature gateway felt like a quiet, satisfying way to finish the evening.