The Silver Curve

The paper path ended near the dining room table. On the dark hardwood floor lay an oversized stainless steel serving spoon, resting curved-side down. I halted two strides away to assess the metal. The polished bowl caught the window glare, casting an oblong beam across the wood grain. I stepped forward. Lowering my snout, I studied the hollow. My reflection sat completely inverted inside the silver curve—jaws pointed toward the ceiling, sail flared downward. I pressed the tip of my lower jaw firmly onto the spoon's flat handle. The heavy bowl tipped upward with a sharp metallic snap, rocking until the inverted image stilled. A responsive balance.