Setting the Pace

Perched on the polished mahogany shelf beside the upright piano, a triangular wooden metronome caught my eye. The steel pendulum was latched tightly behind its brass faceplate. I climbed up to the casing, assessed the calibration notches along the rod, and used both hands to firmly slide the brass weight down to a brisk tempo mark. Releasing the catch with a careful flick, I nudged the needle sideways. It sprang into motion with an immediate, resonant tock-tock-tock that echoed across the room. Standing beside its sweeping arc, I matched its crisp cadence with a sharp, poised salute, keeping perfect time with every swing.