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The d’Verse Poetry Prompt:
•  Write a piece of flash fiction or other prose up of up to or exactly 144 words, including the given line from the poem.
The line to include into the prosery is by Charles Simic, from My Friend Someone

On this day without a date,
On a back street, dusky
_{Charles Simic}

I wrote 140 words for this week’s d’Verse prosery prompt.

On a Back Street, Dusky

Fanshawe steps out from the inn and shivers. He wraps his cloak tighter. On this day, without a date. On a back street, dusky dark, the tread of his feet echo hollow on the cobbles. There’s not far to go to his lodgings, but he feels uneasy. His eyes dart left and right.
The inn sign creaks behind him in the wind. A candle in a window flickers and his shadow looms large, dancing on a wall.
‘I’m a soldier returned from recent battles. I can defend myself from any thief!’ 
He put his hand on the hilt of his sword. 
‘Only an idiot would attack me.’
In a dark window, a pale visage within the glass is watching him. 
His hairs stand on end. He sees a ghost. 
‘Ha! That’s what having a drop of ale does for you!’

Lesley Scoble, May 2023