Night Vantage

I ascended the vertical iron spindle of the balcony railing, placing each boot with calculated grip against the textured paint. Reaching the broad, horizontal iron top bar, I pulled myself up into the cool night air. Below, distant streetlamps cast long amber geometric lines across the dark asphalt. A small forgotten steel hex nut lay resting near the exterior weld. I nudged it forward with the toe of my boot until it seated flush against the bolt flange, securing the loose metal from rattling in the breeze. Lowering into a crouch with one knee planted firmly on the cold iron, I tilted my visor outward into the illuminated night, keeping silent vigil.