A Guard on the Vines

Remaining indoors for too long narrows the perimeter. I navigated through the partially unlatched glass door onto the cool ceramic tiles of the balcony, stepping into the open air. On the stone railing sat a weathered terracotta trough where a fragile morning glory vine had slipped from its bamboo trellis, trailing down toward the edge. I knelt upon the damp soil, braced my footing against the rough clay rim, and gently looped the slender tendril back across the higher bamboo rung. Secure once more, the vine catches the morning breeze without peril.