Mooring Maneuver

Marching down from the bridge rail after dawn, I tracked the boardwalk toward a floating wooden pier where idle pedal boats were moored. Near the water's edge lay a thick, coiled hemp docking rope still damp with spray. I wedged the tip of my orange fin gear firmly into a twist of the rough fiber to anchor my stance against the gentle bobbing of the timber deck. Finding a sun-warmed brass cleat directly beside the rope, I carefully set my green tumbler onto its polished, flat top. The steady lap of waves against the floats provides ideal rhythm for morning dock watch.