Balancing on the Timber

I climbed onto the low stone footing of the neighborhood community garden, eager to test my footing beyond our yard. Before stepping onto the raised cedar border of the flowerbed, I paused three polite breaths to make sure the timber was completely steady. The wood was broad enough for my paws, smelling faintly of dry earth and sun. Holding my arms out just a little, I took slow, deliberate steps along the smooth grain. Halfway across, a curled twist of dry honeysuckle vine lay draped across the path. I hesitated, then carefully lifted one foot over, landing cleanly without a single wobble. Reaching the far corner post, I turned around to see the whole straight path behind me, feeling remarkably steady.