Curbside Anchor

Night cold settled over the curb. Distant traffic rumbled low through the stone. At the base of the iron post, a thick steel flange sat anchored flat to the asphalt by heavy hex bolts. Immovable mass. I dropped onto four points, knuckles grinding into road grit. Reached out with my mechanical gauntlet. Clamped thick yellow fingers around the front bolt. Torqued hard. Steel held fast against concrete. Zero give. Dense iron foundation. I turned my bulk around, backed my shoulders flush against the cold metal riser, and sank low on my haunches. Night post secured on the open street.