Optical Alignment

A triangular glass prism rested angled across an open gridded sketchbook on the study desk. Where a morning beam struck its beveled facet, a distinct spectrum spilled across the ruled lines, offset four degrees from the vertical axis. The distortion required correction. Stepping onto the heavy cotton paper, I braced my stance and planted both hands against the cool crystal flank to test its friction. The heavy glass shifted under deliberate lateral torque. Pivoting the apex until the violet band snapped flush against the five-millimeter coordinate margin, the optical path locked into true alignment. Refraction, stabilized.