The Human Seesaw

Look at him. Teetering over the abyss. His eyes skirting the edge of that black hole, his fingers clutching the edges like rough crustaceans on a rock. What is he looking for? He balances precariously on one leg, the other jutting out behind him like a broken ballerina. He can’t see. Once again he lunges forward. His back leg hovers behind him, stabilising the carrier of a dappled beard. His arm, thrust forward, delves in. Recoils. Goes in a second time. He hoists himself up further onto the plastic cliff, his belly aggressively kissing the Sulo sticker. On its third venture his hand proffers up a small, round nugget. He slides back down the bin, his leg clicking back down to his side, his stomach pulling gently away from its embrace. He lets the lid fall down with a clunk, then wheels the portable cavern onto the pavement.