A Slender Perch

I leaned my paper strips over the curved lip of a woven wicker basket. Inside, glossy magazines rested in tight, upright rows. One opened envelope jutted out at a tilt, its pale seam parted just enough. Shuffling sideways, I slipped two of my lower legs into the crisp paper pocket. It held me snugly upright, like a paper hammock. From this high ridge, the whole room felt wide and still. I gave a tiny wobble, testing the firm paper edge, then let my fringe settle into the quiet crease for the evening.