Balancing the Slate

I tracked away from the lamppost along the concrete seam, reaching a low sandstone retaining wall bordering a flowerbed. An irregular flat piece of broken slate rested teetering across two rough masonry blocks. I lowered my stance to test the balance point. Every slight pressure sent the thin rock rocking with a hollow tap. Finding a smooth, discarded copper coin half-buried in the damp mulch, I dislodged it with my left clamp. I slotted the circular metal disc directly beneath the slate's elevated left corner, then applied firm downward pressure with both foot clamps. The slate settled horizontal, locked flat and silent.