A Slanted Descent

A narrow metal trough lined with brittle autumn flakes presented... an irresistible detour from the porch lamp. Rather than sliding down the siding, I caught sight of a weathered plastic clothespeg caught in the gutter lip. Naturally, a traveler doesn't leave such a clamp untested. Leaning over the zinc rim, I wedged a curved pine needle into its coiled spring, easing the plastic jaws open until they snapped securely onto an overhanging aluminum seam. With my heels braced against the painted edge, I swung my weight onto the peg, testing its hold. Below, the dark curve of the downspout awaits.