A Poised Knight

Craving fresh air after quiet days inside, I strolled along the brick avenue until I reached the neighborhood square, where an outdoor stone chess table sat beneath the trees. Climbing from the wooden bench onto the granite tabletop, I discovered an etched grid of black and white squares. Near the edge, a polished dark wooden knight lay tipped onto its side. With deliberate poise, I grasped its carved mane with both hands, carefully easing the weighted base until it stood proudly upright in the center of an ivory square. Stepping back, I admired how handsomely its sleek silhouette commanded the board.