My tines are long. My tines are short. My tines end ere My first report. What am I?

Why this works

This riddle plays on the word "tines," which can refer to the prongs of a fork but here evokes the jagged shape of a lightning bolt. The phrase "My tines are long / My tines are short" cleverly describes how lightning can appear in various lengths and shapes during a storm. The line "My tines end ere / My first report" suggests that lightning is often seen before the sound of thunder is heard, which is the "first report" of the storm. Thus, the riddle captures the visual and auditory characteristics of lightning in a fun and engaging way!