There you can see a very small patch
Of dark blue, framed by a little branch,
Pinned up by a naughty star.
— Arthur Rimbaud, from Novel
Woolly Winter
Months-long winter drains, where no snow brightens, no gusts whistle, and dis-ease suffocates.
Today, Martha rides away in the creaky carriage after explaining she needs color and laughter. “Rosella’s bachelorette party is a godsend,” she says as she envelopes me in her lily-of-the-valley scent with her hug, then pecks me on the cheek.
Tonight, I have too many glasses of port after dinner and doze off, as usual.
I startle to a hand working its way up my thigh. Thinking Martha has reconsidered and returned, I “mmmmmm” and place my hand on hers before opening my eyes. It’s not Martha’s hand but a claw – attached to a human-sized, woolly lobster.
Suppressing a scream, I pull away.
“Shhhhhh… There you can see a very small patch of dark blue, framed by a little branch, pinned up by a naughty star. Close your eyes and relax…”
[144 words]
“Grey Landscape,” Artist Unknown
I really have no idea where this story came from.
Kim is today’s host of dVerse’ Monday Prosery. Kim wants us to write a 144-word story using the top lines of poetry.
Tao Talk 
YIKES! That’s quite a tale….I was lulled by your words and then that hairy claw!!!!
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My work here is done ;) No, really, I see the story as an amalgamation of horror from, the movie, “The Lobster,” Kafka’s “Metamorphosis,” “The Shining,” and a horrific movie called, “Tusk.” (Do not, I repeat, do *not* watch “Tusk.”) Winter does things to the mind, but here in beautiful fall, I can safely write about it.
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It made me smile that you have no idea where your Prosery story came from, Lisa – they are usually the best ones! I love the phrase ‘months-long winter clutches’, the ‘creaky carriage’ – very atmospheric – and the ‘hairy claw’ and ‘human-sized, woolly lobster’ were a total surprise! Visitors from a naughty star, I think…
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Kim, I’m glad I made you smile. I agree on its likely origins.
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Well that was tormenting….the surreal twist arrived when least expected! …Relax…yeah, right! The character and I (minus the port) were both rather lulled into a reverie…until ..suddenly…!
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lol Thanks for your entertaining comment, Ain.
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Oh my a Lobster claw, ugh…not a Gerard Nerval haunting?
Very entertaining prosery Lisa!
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I guess you never knew about Gerard’s left hand?
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No, I didn’t !! Just his penchant for lobsters!
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Ah, that explains why he eventually had a hook for that hand. Got hungry for a snack.
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LOL!!
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This is really creepy! You included Rimbaud’s lines perfectly!
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Thanks, Christine. It’s part of the prompt.
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A screaming wild nightmare for sure! It can only get wilder………
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I hope it’s just a dream…
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:>)
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I have more fun when I don’t know what I’m doing … judging by your Prosery, I think you had fun!
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Oops .. Helen.
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Helen, the muse surely had fun with it :)
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I can safely say I didn’t see the claw coming!
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It’s part your fault, Max, with your drive-in movie choices! Got me thinking about those saucer men with needles for nails!
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LOL…and more are coming! Your stories will get even more out there.
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:) Goody!
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Mission accomplished!
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A wooly lobster… that is too funny, Lisa. You’re a funny one. thanks,
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Dreams can go just about anywhere, and this one went out there!
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Hehe. Yes. It is fun. 🤩
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An intriguing story. Quite Halloween-ish
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Thanks, Sadje, yes it is!
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🧡🧡❤️
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Wow! I’ll never sleep again! Thanks…
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LOL. Anytime! :)
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A hairy claw… i know about mitten crabs, but a giant wooly lobster… shudder
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Seeking revenge for every one of its brethren that has been thrown into a boiling pot of water.
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Well, this was different! No one expects a hairy claw making its way up their thigh, ya know?
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I would have screamed to wake the dead opening my eyes to that. I pray it was just a dream!
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Well, that’s a little creepy. Literally. Love it!
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Nolcha, love the literally creepy. Thanks!
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No idea where it came from, nor where it went next…? What an etoile mechante… it’s even dropped its two accents. ;-0
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Not sure what etoile mechante is. Maybe I don’t want to know?
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I guess étole méchante is ‘naughty star”in Arthur Rimbaud’s French. I loved your writing! Aaaargh scary crustaceans!
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Ah! OK. Glad you enjoyed the story, “Someone.”
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Perfect, Lisa. Just in time for Halloween! *shiver*
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Dora, thanks!
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ooooooo …. a bit on the scary side ! :-D
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Yep, the person must have eaten chocolate before bedtime. ;)
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Hahahaha
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Spooky turn of events. Sometimes, creativity just spins a concept and a tale begins to form. Of course, now there is that hairy lobster claw image to deal with. yikes
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I like that last bit, Truedessa. Thoughts do matter. I wonder if they fear garlic? ;)
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Oooh, a clever ending, what happens is the question, leaves me wanting more.
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It left me wondering also, Paul. It it went bad, they could always wake up … if it was a dream.
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