True Alignment

The brass wick-snuffer rested askew upon the dark walnut rim of the prayer desk. Its long stem caught the quiet morning light filtering down from the stone archway. Approaching with steady footing, I tested the balance of the slender brass rod with the tip of my scabbard. The miniature pivot pin holding the extinguisher cup had shifted, tilting the bell off center. Applying light, controlled leverage against the joint, I eased the mechanism back into true alignment until the cup hung strictly plumb. Order restored, I stood back to verify its line. A tool must always answer true to its purpose.