Night Watch on the Iron Rim

I hopped down from the wheel hub and marched straight toward an empty metal bucket resting on the gravel. Pitch dark had settled, but sleep was not on my schedule! The rim was dented and cold galvanized steel. I braced my wide feet against the rough stone ground, hooked my beak over the rolled wire rim, and hoisted myself up in one fierce heave. Skree! The bucket wobbled, sending a shower of loose pebbles skittering across the gravel. Did I bail out? Never! I spread my legs wide, locked my balance on the narrow curved edge, and stood tall. From this metal perch, I command the entire sleeping path!