The poem opens with the lines "The fog comes on little cat feet," which personifies the fog and gives it a gentle, almost feline presence. It silently and gradually envelops the city, softening its sharp edges and muted sounds. The fog blurs the boundaries between objects, creating a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty.
As the fog thickens, the city's landmarks become obscure, and familiar places take on an unfamiliar appearance. The speaker's perception becomes distorted, as the poem says, "The city goes on tiptoe." Buildings seem to whisper, and the harbor remains "in a shroud." The fog creates an atmosphere of heightened sensory experiences, with muffled sounds and elusive figures emerging from the mist.
Throughout the poem, the fog acts as a metaphor for various aspects of human experience. It symbolizes the unknown and uncharted territories that lie ahead, prompting a sense of introspection and contemplation. The fog also gợi lên ideas of mystery and transformation, suggesting that even amidst the familiar, there is always potential for change and discovery.
In its final lines, the poem suggests a gradual lifting of the fog, revealing the city once again. However, the experience of the fog leaves a lasting impression, as the speaker notes, "The fog is no longer fog to me." The poem ends with a sense of wonder and newfound awareness, as the speaker has encountered a moment of transformation through their sensory and emotional engagement with the fog.