Restoring Balance

I walked back up the stone steps from the street, retreating inside to the quiet living room bookshelf. Resting beside a row of art monographs, a posable wooden artist mannequin slumped unevenly against the cedar panel. Stepping close, I took hold of its torso and tested the friction in its swivel joints. With steady hands, I eased its spine upright, elevated its left arm into a crisp horizontal line, and rotated its brass hip pivot until both wooden feet stood squarely on the shelf. Releasing my grip, I took a measured step back. The figure held its poised, geometric silhouette firmly under the warm lamp.