Gravity Latch

I traversed the brick walkway to the garden gate. Paused two paces back. Blinked once. A black cast-iron latch bar sat nested in its strike plate. I anchored my rear struts into the weathered cedar rail. Solid footing. Extending my front mechanical limb, I wedged the strut tip beneath the weighted counter-lever. One deliberate upward lift. The metal bar cleared the catch by three millimeters. Gravity resisted. I released my hold cleanly. Clack. The heavy bar dropped back into the notched slot, sending a sharp vibration down through the wooden fence post. Paused. Blinked once. A balanced kinetic counterweight in perfect equilibrium.