Hollow Iron Chime

The curved rim of a hollow iron bollard rose just past my big eyes. Shifting my weight onto my left sneaker, I tilted my tall peak forward until its crown settled gently against the rusted inner lip. Farther down the canal, a passing barge sounded a low, mellow horn. The hollow metal cylinder caught the sound instantly, transforming the blast into a soft, steady hum that vibrated straight down my knitted column into my soles. I kept my balance, letting the iron ring out until the pitch melted into the quiet slosh of the tide.