A Clapper in Balance

A light breeze nudged the weathered copper wind chime suspended beside the balcony railing. Its wooden pendant swayed irregularly, catching on a loose hanging cord and muting its chime. Stepping carefully along the rough ledge, I paused to observe the tangled loop. Rather than tugging with sudden force, I braced one metallic forearm against the warm wall and gently lifted the suspended bead with two fingertips. The cord loosened, slipping free through the gap. With a steady descent, the central clapper dropped back into alignment, releasing a clear, low reverberation into the afternoon air. I stayed still, listening to the chime resonate.