I think the problem may not be one of "grammar," strictly speaking,  
but of a required mental jump for the reader.

If you think about it, the relationship between "clock" and "digits"  
seems clear.  But you have to think about it.

Would you consider

I glanced at my clock, its digits glowing florescent blue in the inky  
darkness of my room.

a better sentence?  If so, I think what is missing is an expressed  
link between the absolute construction and the main clause.

Kathleen Ward
UC Davis
On Feb 7, 2007, at 10:21 AM, Michael Kischner wrote:

> The following sentence is offered in a textbook as an examples of a  
> student's successful use of an absolute phrase:
>
> "I glanced at my clock, digits glowing florescent blue in the inky  
> darkness of my room."

To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at:
     http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html
and select "Join or leave the list"

Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/