mechanism · 06 · iron axle · ratcheted · garden well
a drum on an axle, a crank on one end, a small iron tongue (called the pawl) that drops between the teeth to keep gravity out of the conversation. you wind one revolution, and one revolution stays wound. the pawl clicks once, like a tooth being agreed with.
this one belongs to the well at the back of the garden. the bucket comes up cold and dark and very heavy at first, and then less heavy as it nears the curb. by the last turn you can hear the drip of return.
field-note · the pawl will not let you let go. that is its only purpose, and its kindness.