Field guide No. 1136
Loose connection
Wiggle it and see.
A rusted padlock lies on a concrete step with its shackle knotted over itself like a loosened shoelace. It secures nothing, and has stopped pretending.
Field noteA padlock whose shackle is knotted like a loosened shoelace; it secures nothing and has stopped pretending.
Also possible, also breaking material
Fur along rusted teethSoft white fur grows on every tooth of a rusted cog; metal does this nowhere, but no noun disagrees.
Pillow leaf nettles in bare soilNettle leaves inflate into soft green cushions, stings and all.
Brass seeds in a glass pearAny glassblower and any jeweller could split this commission. Sculpture, not paradox.
Stone skipped ripples across the meadowSkipped stones ripple water. This one bounced across a meadow and the grass rings out like a pond.