A Small Arch

Three heavy wooden dominoes lay scattered across the coarse weave of the rug. I lowered myself to one knee, resting my staff flat against the floorboards. With slow, measured care, I set two tiles upright on their narrow ends, aligning them like twin pillars. The third piece was cool and smooth in my grip. Raising it with both hands, I eased the block horizontally across the tops of the uprights until the balance found its center. I drew my fingers away. The miniature arch wavered once, then settled firm and silent in the noon light.