A Tightened Tether

The wind shifted slightly past noon, vibrating the zip tie I had rigged to the iron baluster. I knelt to inspect the tension. The plastic strip had slackened by half a millimeter against the cold metal seam. Reaching down with both gauntlets, I pinched the ridged end and drew it one notch tighter until the ratchet clicked solid. Next to it, the shard of green bottle glass stayed perfectly aligned, reflecting the courtyard pavers below. To eliminate future sway, I found a dry, flattened twig in the corner and wedged it under the strap as a brace. The post is rigid again.