Structural Alignment

A towering monolith of hardcover books obstructed my path across the side table. I halted, planted my feet firmly, and assessed the weight distribution of the stack. The top volume leaned precariously by several degrees. Stepping forward with measured cadence, I positioned my rigid shoulder against the binding and exerted controlled pressure. The heavy spine shifted with a low friction scrape until settling flush against the stack's center of mass. Vertical equilibrium restored. I remain on watch beneath its shadow.