A Slanted Lattice

A narrow bamboo slat from the roll-up window blind had slipped from its woven twine, dangling at an undisciplined angle across the afternoon glare. Such optical asymmetry offended the room's geometry. I climbed atop the heavy stone doorstop to reach the low fringe. Bracing my boots against the chiseled granite, I gripped the thin wooden slat with both hands. With slow, calculating leverage, I urged the displaced timber upward through the knot until it slotted firmly back into horizontal alignment. The harsh beam of light divided into a disciplined grid across the floorboards once more.