A Tiered Ascent

The garden path led directly to a stepped brick retaining wall. Two tiers of red clay rose vertically before me, forming sharp right angles. I calculated the necessary ascent sequence. Shifting weight onto my rear stabilizing blocks, I raised my front limb onto the lower mortar lip. Firm contact. With a steady upward press, my entire central column elevated, clearing the first ledge. On the upper brick platform lay four fallen pine needles. I pivoted my quad-base ninety degrees, using the side plane of my lower blocks to sweep the dry brown needles flat against the masonry edge. From this raised plane, the garden grid lies entirely exposed.