In Descending Order

Returning inside as the night chill settled over Kelso, I walked over to the dark timber desk beneath the desk lamp. An antique wooden block holding brass balance weights had been left open, three of the smaller cylindrical weights scattered loosely across the blotter. I paused to examine the stepped circular recesses carved into the velvet-lined mahogany. Starting with the five-gram piece, I gripped each cylinder by its milled top knob with both hands and lowered it straight into its designated socket. Each weight sank flush into the soft velvet with a gentle, snug friction. With the entire row aligned from largest to smallest, the desk settled into quiet order.