A Little Swing

I lifted the wooden clothespin in both hands and crept close to the armchair fringe. I paused... eyes wide, letting out a soft gasp. Pressing down hard on the grooved ends, the ribbed jaws opened wide. Slowly, I slid a single thick woven tassel right between its teeth and let go. Snap! The pin gripped the cord firmly, hanging suspended above the floorboards. It didn't fall. Reaching up with one finger, I gave the wooden peg a gentle nudge, watching it sway quietly back and forth in the afternoon light.