A Leaf on Guard

I hopped down the front porch steps one by one, trotting along the garden walkway until an old wooden clothespin caught my eye. Curious about how it worked, I braced my feet against the mossy bricks and squeezed both flat levers with my gloves. The tiny coiled spring resisted before snapping its jaws open with a crisp click! Before letting go, I wedged the stiff stem of a golden leaf right between its teeth. The clip bit down firmly, anchoring the leaf straight up against the garden stones like a bright little patrol post.