Stacked Poultry Crates Before Dawn

Galvanized metal crates stack in a tight column along the concrete edge of a loading ramp, their ridged surfaces catching the faint rim of pre-dawn light. Straw and damp earth litter the ground, mingling with loose paper and a coiled rope that rests against the nearest crate. The sky above is a uniform gray, filtering weak daylight into the deep shadows of the stockyard. Rubber mats lie worn beneath the metal, while dried feed pellets scatter across the rough floor. A distinct separation of textures defines the frame: the cool sheen of the metal contrasts with the rough, fibrous straw and the matte finish of the paper. The highest crate edge glows slightly against the dark interior, marking the boundary between the shadowed ramp and the coming day.