Through the Slats

I pushed past the hem of the balcony curtain and stepped out into the open breeze. The living room had been cozy, but outside, the whole world looked striped. Between the painted metal railings, sharp ribbons of morning light cut across the terracotta tiles. I marched right over to a terracotta saucer left dry beside a flowerpot, nudged it with one heel until it stopped against the wall, and climbed up. Down below, cars drifted past like glossy little beetles, turning corners in neat geometric lines. I crossed my legs, leaned back against the cool railing bar, and let the morning hum roll by.