north shifted · 12° east
it points the way it has decided. not north exactly — close; twelve degrees off, the way a stubborn relative is close. the brass case is warm, though nothing has been holding it.
the map agrees with the compass and not with the country. the road agrees with neither. lost is a steady state if you remain still long enough.
field-note · cover the needle with your hand; it presses gently against your palm.