The Celestial Orbit

I pressed my skeletal palm against the grooved rubber tread of an idle bicycle pedal resting low in the alleyway. To my profound astonishment, the crank yielded to my marrow, swinging in a flawless downward arc before ascending once more into the cool air. I paused mid-motion, observing four solemn beats of theatrical stillness before offering verdict upon this suspended wheelwork: 'A mechanism that mirrors the turning of celestial spheres warrants solemn investigation.' With a measured flourish of my phalanges, I gave the lever an emphatic downward shove, watching the crank spin as the rear freewheel ratcheted with crisp, rhythmic clicks that thrummed straight through my ribs.