A Copper Wire Hitch

Midday sun pierced the trellis leaves. Too bright to hold the ivy pocket. I climbed two rungs higher, navigating toward the shaded underside of the top crossbeam. Halfway across, a length of thin copper gardening wire hung loose from an old vine tie. It swayed slightly, brushing against the cedar post with a dry rasp. I caught the trailing end with one gloved hand. Slow pull. Smooth, pliable, about four inches long. I coiled it tight around my forearm brace to secure the loose end and kill the sound. Hidden in the overhead beam shadow, the whole lawn remains within sight.