Field guide No. 653
Fallen lightning on a muddy track
It came down and stayed down.
A bolt of lightning lies along a rutted farm track at dusk, still glowing, its branches reaching into the puddles and the verge. Nobody has rung the farmer, because nobody knows which department this is.
Field noteLightning lasts a blink and goes to earth. This bolt went to earth, lay down in the ruts and stayed lit.
Also possible, also breaking physics
Smoldering stem, bright yellow dandelionA dandelion’s stem glows and smolders beneath its yellow flower. The plant has chosen a dramatic way to wilt.
Road splitting into darknessThe highway opens into a muddy pit, centre line and all. Repairs are scheduled, indefinitely.
The ladder harvestWood that was a tree has decided to be one again. Carpentry does not usually reverse.
Light cut by lightTwo crossing beams pass through each other. Here one cuts the other, and the off-cut falls and bounces.