Clearance of the Channel

A dry crackle sounded beneath my foot. I turned away from the railing and marched toward the shadowed corner of the balcony floor. A dried brown leaf, curled and tough as bark, lay trapped over a circular metal drainage grate. I lowered my stance. Bracing against the concrete with my heavy tail, I hooked my claw into the brittle stem and hauled it back. Dust stirred. The round metal slits were freed to catch whatever runoff comes. A clear perimeter must be maintained.