Everything emits time, not only people. That’s what Elmer told me. He says it’s just that some time is so slow we can’t perceive it, like India rumpling Asia as it smashes in. And some is too fast, like a neutrino.
And then I spot one – a neutrino – spearing into the snow by the streetlamp, a microscopic meteorite which buries itself with a hiss and a breath of ozone.
“I see time. Deep time, wept by a neutron star.” I run forward.
The plates of past and future slide past each other. I look away, and the long instant collapses.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
Brilliant tale! And a good observation.
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Thanks, Reena, By observation you mean spotting the bar of light? I’m drawn to the flaws and impurities in things
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Exactly.
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Lovely elegant writing. And full of information apparently effortlessly woven in – India rumpling Asia for example.
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Thanks, Jilly. I’m a bit of an information hoarder
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You created a little masterpiece here, Neil, and in the process confused me no end, because I have no idea how fast a neutrino is!
Deep stuff, expertly depicted.
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I’ll take the “masterpiece” and ignore the confusion. Thanks
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It’s very fast indeed, CE, very nearly the speed of light. A neutrino is also unimaginably small.
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Dear Neil
In Star Trek TNG they talked about neutrinos all the time. I still have no clue. How will I know if one lands in my yard? I did enjoy the writing in this piece. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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They’re arriving all the time. We’re surrounded by a sleet of them. You can tell the difference from electrons because the neutrinos taste of liquorice. Thanks, Rochelle
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The “hiss and breath of ozone” is masterful. Great take.
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I like “masterful”. Thanks, Sandra
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This is fantastic, Neil. Absolutely brilliant narration.
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Wow! Thanks so much!
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I loved how you interpreted the bar of lighttps
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Thanks so much, Michael
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I didn’t see that bar of light until I read this. Lots to think about here, which I love, and wonderful writing, as ever.
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It’s a failing. I’m drawn to imperfections. Or perhaps it helps in crafting characters. Thanks, Claire
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No, it’s a skill. All in the detail.
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He is either really gifted or really crazy. Very metaphysical. I’d like to see you explore his abilities more.
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Thanks James. I may bring him back
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I like this on several levels. Imagination is right up at the top. India crumpling into Asia. Wonderful word pictures.
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Thanks so much. I almost didn’t go with this idea
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Glad you did!
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Poetic and spare. I like the motion in this piece. Well done.
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It’s hard not to be spare with only 100 words to play with. Thanks, Joshua
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I love the part “I see time. Deep time, wept by a neutron star.” That belongs in a poem!
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Thanks so much, Penny
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Deep thoughts Neil, loved the final three words, and the contradiction of a ‘long instant.’ Nicely done.
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Thanks Iain. I’m kind of surprised this has had such a good reception
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No surprise here Neil, always one of the Fictioneer stories I look forward to each Wednesday.
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Well thank you so much, Iain. That’s very kind
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I’m not sure what happened but this is wonderfully atmospheric.
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Thanks Liz. I’m not sure either
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Great story but for the ‘rumpling’ part.
From centuries India’s rich and ancient culture has been an example for Asia and the world.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
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The rumpling is a geological reference. The Himalyas are a rumpling of Asia created by the collision with the Indian subcontinent
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Wowsers- my mind isn’t a little blown with this one 👍
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Neither is mine 🙂
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Oops!! That’s funny! Predictive text made it ‘isn’t’ I wrote ‘is’ I assure you!!
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I understood
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I love the opening words, “Everything emits time…” followed by the examples of how this happens. An intriguing story.
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Thanks Edith
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That’s an interesting twisting of reality. I want to know more, now.
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Sadly, Rochelle won’t let me say more
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I’ve read this three times now and each time it becomes more beautiful and meaningful. Just like poetry. Nicely done.
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Thank you so much. That’s a lovely endorsement
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I love that you focused on the “imperfection” as you called that sting of light 😉
“hiss and breath of ozone” – love that
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I just can’t help myself. It was the thing in the picture my eye was drawn to
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A beautiful story. I learned something new today
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Thanks Susan. Be careful what you learn from anything I write. I make stuff up
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Lol. You had collaborators 🙂
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Loved this piece of writing, even if the science might be beyond me.
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Thanks. The science is almost entirely imaginary.
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An intriguing story, I enjoyed it very much! 🙂
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Thanks, Brenda
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Brilliant Neil. I wondered what that white streak was!
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Thanks, Keith
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Deeply poetic and poetically deep.
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Thank you so much
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A fascinating take on this prompt. I love the last two lines especially.
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Thanks, Jan
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I really enjoyed this, Neil. It was above my pay grade but time intrigues me and you captured its innate mystery very well.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Thanks Rowena. I promise you there was no real physics in this
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Ah! Pretend physics? You’ll be able to get that into a journal!
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I have submittied the story to the Journal of Irreproducible Results
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Sounds like a great choice!
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A lovely, literary take on time perception – something that’s always fascinated me too. I love the idea of being able to see a neutrino – I want to know more about a character that can see the microscopic with the naked eye. Great writing
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He’s fantasising of course. Thanks, Lynn
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Haunting. Mesmerizing. What magical writing is this. And these lines some time is so slow we can’t perceive it, like India rumpling Asia as it smashes in. And some is too fast, like a neutrino. They are just fleetingly magnetic like a well neutrino.
Great piece of writing, Neil.
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Thanks Neel. I’m so glad you liked it
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spearing into the snow Nicely put. I had no idea about neutrinos and am not sure I do now but loved this piece for the sharp writing.
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Thanks, Alicia. It’s not really important to know about neutrinos because he only believes he’s seen one
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I realize that, but I have a curious mind and don’t let tiny things like neutrinos slip by. 🙂
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Just so long as you know I’m an unreliable narrator. But curiosity is definitely one of the essential qualities of a story-teller
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Married to a physicist, but I still need to go and look up neutrinos! Entertaining, educating and enchanting. (Nearly called my piece enchantment!)
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How interesting that you considered the same title. By the way, almost nothing in my story is educational (or at least true, which isn’t necessarily the dame thing)
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Whew! Where did you get that! It has quantum meaning and leap to it! Wonderful!
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Glad you liked it. The meaning is almost entirely allegorical
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Yes. I know. I was fascinated by your use of Physics to weave a tale about light. I am a Physics major!
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India rumpling Asia evoked such beautiful images! And the “long instant collapses” was just brilliant
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Thanks so much, Dahlia. Seeing the world a little differently was what I was tying for there
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By the time India rumpled Asia, I was leaning forward on my desk, curiosity piqued. And I wasn’t disappointed, it has a philosophical tone to it which will keep my brain busy for a while. Loved it!
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Thanks, Fatima. Curiosity was exactly what I wanted to pique
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The first line really piqued my interest. I’m glad not to perceive the microscopic world with my unaided senses… that would definitely blow my mind!
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But in the world of fiction it becomes possible
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This is a fascinating, thought-provoking piece. It’s true that we can only perceive time and its effects in a thin part of its wide spectrum. Much as we can only see the narrow range of visible light from the much wider electromagnetic spectrum.
The idea of seeing neutrinos or being aware of tectonic movement is intriguing – how would our minds cope with something so out of our normal range? Did he see one or only believe that he did?
Thanks for a really good piece, and as others have said, I loved how you interpreted that one detail.
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Thanks so much. In my view he only believed he saw it, but it was real for him and I may be quite wrong
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That’s the beauty of writing – the author doesn’t know all the answers any more than her reader does.
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A story belongs to the author only up to the moment it’s published
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Very true.
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You’ve made me see this picture in a whole new light, so to speak.
Lovely, thought provoking story.
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Thanks, Dawn
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Wow, Neil! This was quite a memorable read! I don´t think I can forget this story ever. It was engrossing and fascinating to say the least. Love how far fetched you went with this one..Who would have thought of India looking at this pic..lol. Brilliant! Looking forward to your next! Cheers 🙂
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Thanks so much, Tina for the lovely comment
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