Field guide No. 538
Cactus sheds its green skin
Spring clean, desert edition.
A pale white cactus stands in red desert scrub beside the whole green skin it has just stepped out of, spines and arms intact. It looks younger, and a bit chilly.
Field noteSnakes slough; cactuses do not. This one has stepped out of its whole green skin, spines and all.
Also possible, also breaking category
Peeling sky over a derelict telescopeSkies don’t have a backing. This one peels at the corner like wallpaper and shows plywood behind.
Soft landing on the dockA seal rests on weathered boards beside dark water. The marina gained a passenger.
Laundry room buttonhole blossomsShirts button up with white blossoms growing from every buttonhole.
The orange committeeSplit oranges can be arranged round a teapot by anyone with a knife. The quorum is implied.