Lightning

The million tiny stars were so high in the vast dome of the sky, while just above the horizon, beyond the dark silhouettes of palm trees and the verdant hill overlooking the edge of town, behind and between the puffy cumulus clouds flashed pink, yellow and orange lightning. In the dark African night, the colours of sunset peeked out from behind the pillows of the sky.

Another evening, the flashes were so white and so complete that they lit the landscape as though it were day. They stayed longer than an instant-enough to hold in your hand, yet not enough to hold on to. Just when I thought I could see everything and could turn off my flashlight . it was dark again.