The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes
from The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, by T.S. Eliot
Palled
Continuing with dawn, an unsettled pall, first cast upon my mood in restless slumber. Exhausted from a night of being chased, barefoot, through rotting vegetation by old beaus, I startled awake, breathing heavily. As my cold feet unsuccessfully sought their cozy bunny slippers, I heard scratching at the window. Had Jinky slipped out again?
Instead, I found the yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes, purring with menace. What had it disemboweled under protection of moonless ink? Even the sun struggled to escape it.
After first tinkle, I made my way to the kitchen and set the coffeemaker to its task. Calling Jinky with tinny clink of cat food can’s opening, I frowned as no silent padding feet arrived.
Sipping hot cuppajoe, yellow fog rolled in as I opened the back door.
There he lay, as if sleeping, never to purr again.
[144 words]
Björn is today’s host of dVerse’ Prosery Monday. Björn would like for us to write a 144-word story using the T.S. Eliot line above.
Tao Talk 
Oh no, Lisa, your Prosery piece has brought me to tears. I’m so worried that one day soon this will be Mojo, who has mouth cancer. In June she was given 1-3 months. She’s is now living on borrowed time.
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Kim, I’m sorry to bring you to tears. I shed some at the end of writing it. My worst fear is that Mlady or Dotty get out of the house and something bad happens to them. I remember you talking about Mojo and her prognosis awhile back. Dotty has been given a little longer than that but it hurts just to think her days may be numbered. Sending healing vibes to Mojo.
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Thank you, Lisa. We love our cats so much, don’t we.
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<3
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This is very creepy ⭐️💛
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Mission accomplished. Thank you, Robbie.
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Yes!
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That yellow fog is indeed a menace, the way it acts in your scene made me think of the opening pages of Bleak House…. the fog is not an innocent actor.
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Ooh, now you have me intrigued. But oh no, fog is never innocent.
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If you have not read the opening passage of Bleak House – it is one of the best descriptions of fog ever…
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Thanks for the encouragement. Adding it to my list.
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horrific, what is that yellow.fog doing to our writers today
much♡love
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haha, Gillena!
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Thank you very much for a very strong image. There is a lot of emotion and pain carried in your text. The narrator obviously grieves.
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Aaron, thanks very much for your feedback. Good way to vent fears.
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I agree, 100%.
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Nicely done Lisa. I apologize for letting my mind go to beer for a second, there’s craft brewer in Ontario called Beau’s. “moonless ink” is quite a remarkable turn of phrase.
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Randy it’s a good name for beer :) Thank you.
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This reminds me of our yellow day a couple years ago. Definitely menacing,
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Sorry for the reminder. I can’t think of any happy story with yellow fog in it…
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None whatsoever.
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A sad ending to a great story, Lia.
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Dwight, thank you very much.
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You are very welcome!
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I love the atmosphere you have created and the memories you have stirred – Jae
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Jae, thank you so much.
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Fog definitely sets an eerie scene. The ending just pulled at my heartstrings.
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Thank you, True. Yellow fog never brings good with it.
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To wake from being chased by old beaus (not an entirely unpleasant prospect I hope) to the sad demise of your beloved cat, your 144 words pack a punch of emotion Li…
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Glad you enjoyed the story, Andrew, thank you.
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A very moving piece Li. The ending is heartbreaking
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Thank you. The muse was full of woe at the line.
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You’re welcome. Yes, we write what our muse dictates. ❤️
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<3
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🙏🏼
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You gave it a very sad twist in the end.
And that dream of yours speaks so much. A cousin of mine is fighting for life in the ICU. I dreamt of her body being wheeled in the corridors of a hospital, then turning unexpectedly to a Department with a signboard “Death UnBelievers.” And she came out smiling. Today, I heard that her condition is improving.
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We think we know it all, but when stuff like this happens we understand how little we know. Glad your cousin is on the mend <3
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💕💕
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Ooh! Well, that took a day turn! Enjoyed this 🙂
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Thanks, Sunra :)
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*That should say “dark turn,” lol.
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Li! This is so sad. Your writing was exquisite- but I am still flummoxed by the loss!
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V, it’s a jungle out there, especially menacing with yellow fog. Thank you for reading and your comment.
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Fog personified so well, creepy, menacing, potent.
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Thanks, Paul.
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