A Morning Release

Stepping out from the sheltered interior of the wooden lantern, I felt the crisp morning air drift across the porch boards. Resting upon the glass latch was a delicate loop of fine garden twine, its knotted tip tangled around the small brass catch. Approaching with measured stillness, I grasped the coarse hemp between both porcelain hands. With a patient, gentle wiggle, I unthreaded the loop and smoothed the fibers straight against the weathered wood. Freed from the snag, the little latch settled down with a quiet, polite click.