Steps In Between

Celaine Charles ~ My journey as a writer ~ Author site: celainecharlesauthor.com

You’re Invited: Elfchen Poetry Potluck

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One + two + three + four + one = eleven

elfchen ElevenSightings3

A little challenge, a little math, and a lot of poetry! I love my writing community, for a multitude of reasons, but today I am thankful for Charles Lindholm’s poetry challenge: to write an Elfchen. After I bit into one, I couldn’t help tasting a few more. Suddenly, I’m throwing a party and WOW, what an event it has become. I am grateful to everyone for joining in the fun, and I am honored to share their work

But first, an Elfchen is an eleven-word poem written across five lines. It is also called an elevenie. Elf means eleven in German, and -chen at the end of a German word makes the word wee or enduring. So, an Elfchen is a little poem.

elfchen rules csm_Vorlage_Elfchen_ec5ae22718

Here’s how it works:

One word for line one                   

Two words for line two    

Three words for line three

Four words for line four

One word for line five

elfchen poem 11 nph3dO

The dictionary defines eleven as the cardinal number ten plus one. In numerology, the master eleven is intuitive and instinctual. It’s also the number of years the sun has a sunspot cycle, and the number of players per team that will be on the Super Bowl field this Sunday afternoon. But for me, it’s the number on your fingers you can’t count to alone…you need a friend (or a toe), and I like the idea of friends helping friends.

Thanks you writing community (authors, friends, and family) who participated in the Elfchen Challenge! You joined in the fun and proved that even though many of us write in solitude, we come together in big ways when it counts!

I am blessed!

Thank you for helping me celebrate Elfchen poems by the following artists (in alphabetical order):

Mary Arena

Ginny Brannan

Yvonne Brewer

Pamela Hobart Carter

Ailsa Cawley

Celaine Charles

James M. Charles

Judy Connors

Alyssa de St-Blanquot

Sam Deane

Joan Granger

Linda Imbler

Madeleine H. Kennedy

Susan Kiso Frederick

Charles Robert Lindholm

Anna O’Doherty

Michelle Pudas

Ann Christine Tabaka

April Thompson

 

I bring you Elfchen poems from my writing community:

~Ⅺ~

My

heart flutters

when this dog

leans against my leg

love

 

~By Mary Arena

~Ⅺ~

Hear

the rustle?

The wind whispers 

telling all her secrets…

Listen

 

Another

poetry run…

trial and error,

still seeking the perfect

Elfchen

 

Two by  Ginny Brannan 

~Ⅺ~

Lir’s Swans 

Hesitant,

they swim

in opposite directions.

Sadness weighing heavy hearts;

Inevitability.

 

By Yvonne Brewer

~Ⅺ~

 

Today

wind whispers

to the crows

rest your flapping wings,

coast.

 

My

dancing heart

trips over toes

belonging to my lover,

embraced.

 

Two by Pamela Hobart Carter

~Ⅺ~

Wakening

From her

Slumber the maiden

Breathes life into the

Earth

 

Words

Wording

Has to

Be of careful

Thought to not break

Hearts 

 

Beginning

Start

From where

You are now

That’s the beginning of

Everything

 

Stuck

In beauty

Nature wild, threatens

To make you stay

Permanently

 

Snow

Pretty picture

Wrapped in fluffy

Flakes that blank every

Canvas

 

Exhaustion

Dully aching

Through my body

Mind already foggy, need

Sleep

 

Six by Ailsa Cawley (AilsaCawleyPoetry©2020)

~Ⅺ~

Words

move joyfully

in motion when

friends celebrate their gifts

Elfchens!

 

The

wind whispers

olden truths, wrapped

loosely among white lies;

revealing…

 

My

dancing heart

sways in rhythm,

knocks against my bones;

exhilaration!

 

Rainbow Mist 

angelic

gossamer light

reflects promises sent

arcs through morning mist

fogbow

 

Four by Celaine Charles

~Ⅺ~

Naughty

Little Elfchen

Brief devious thoughts

Mischievous little plans for

Bliss

 

By James M. Charles 

~Ⅺ~

Retirement

is wishing

we are old

in search of more

time

  

Laughter

brings tears

until you beg

for air as you

snort

 

Two by Judy Connors

~Ⅺ~

Time

Heals everything

They say tightly

As if pain expires

Knowingly

 

By Alyssa de St-Blanquot 

~Ⅺ~

Delirium

Spaghetti timeline.

Unrecognisable, agitated wondrous,

Loving vulnerable, confused insightful,

Somewhere.

 

By Sam Deane

~Ⅺ~

Drizzle

Drip, plop,

Slip, slop, splash

Pink tinged clouds disperse

Daybreak

 

Nature 

Nature

May teach

Launch our imagination

Staggering bursts of creation

Observation

 

Two by Joan Granger

~Ⅺ~

My

guitar sings

to my heart

through nylon strings plucked

music

 

Trains 

always take 

people on the 

most wonderful new adventures

traveling

 

I

feel so 

lucky to have

discovered books as a 

child

 

Stars

kiss the 

night with gleaming

lips and teeth that

shine

 

All

those kids

I taught and 

all I learned from

them

 

~Five by Linda Imbler

~Ⅺ~

Crackle

Silent embers

Spreading swiftly outwards

Whoosh! Flames burst forthwith

Inferno

 

By Madeleine H. Kennedy

 ~Ⅺ~

Ice

on branches

each tree sparkling

a pattern designed by

nature.

 

By Susan Kiso Frederick 

~Ⅺ~

 

The

Universe whispered

Words to him

He wrote them as

Poetry

 

By Charles Robert Lindholm

~Ⅺ~

Memories

so precious

come and go.

Makes me remember you

always.

 

Daughter

miss you.

Living in Dublin

wish you were here.

Mom.

 

Two by Anna O’Doherty

~Ⅺ~

Yawn

I’m tired

Going to bed

Been a long day

Sleep

 

By Michelle Pudas

~Ⅺ~

The

wind whispers

secrets to me

from my lover the

storm. 

 

My

dancing heart

sings alone, for

you are no longer

here. 

 

Sometimes

words are

not enough, but

words are all we

have. 

 

Red

flowers hang

from a basket

of desire luring winged

jewels.

 

Sun

streaming through                      

a stained glass

wish, bestowing promises of

joy!                       

 

Each

teardrop holds

a story of

its own pain or

joy.

 

Six by Ann Christine Tabaka

~Ⅺ~ 

Sleepy

Old maple

Bracing winter wind

Branches whip, swaying wildly

Rooted

 

Orchid

Blooms boldly

In morning sun

Peaking through gray winter

Skies

 

Sunrise

Early glow

Baby birds wake

Call out from slumber

Chirp!

 

Three by April Thompson

~Ⅺ~

I hope you’ve enjoyed our Elfchen Celebration, and maybe you’ve decided to write a few yourself. If you do, please share them in the comments below! Or contact me, and I will add them to the post. The more the merrier! 🙂

Happy Writing (because at least you’re writing),

Celaine Charles, February 2, 2020

photo cartoon pic 2

Image and Content Credits:

https://thereluctantpoetweb.wordpress.com/category/poetry/ (Charles Robert Lindholm, The Reluctant Poet)

https://stepsinbetween.com/poetry/ (Celaine Charles “Wednesday Whims of Poetry”)

https://www.numerology.com/number-11 (numerology for #11)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11_(number) (facts for #11)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/570710326/basset-hound-art-print-of-original-oil?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=dog+art&ref=sr_gallery-6-21&organic_search_click=1&frs=1 (dog art)

https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Wind/1044033/3947868/view (windy tree)

http://explore.blarney.com/irish-legends-children-of-lir/ (swans)

https://artspacenewhaven.org/cwos-home/artist-directory/ (crow)

https://pixels.com/featured/maiden–earth-mother-iv–patsy-sharpe.html (maiden earth mother)

https://www.paulfrasercollectibles.com/blogs/art-photography/geoffrey-mukasas-celebrations-painting-up-29-in-kenya (Geoffrey Mukasa’s Celebrations)

https://e1686085c7bbb465aacb6b5a2f72595ed6–big-bad-wolf (wolf art)

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/what-old-age-is-really-like (aging)

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/a-matter-of-time-kathleen-patrick.html (time)

https://www.artmajeur.com/en/kim-giesen/artworks/11317730/delirium (delirium)

https://mariefoxpaintingaday.blogspot.com/2016/04/sleeping-woman-female-asleep-female.html (woman asleep)

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/fire-adam-brett.html (fire)

https://interestingengineering.com/the-reason-behind-the-purple-skies-that-appeared-after-hurricane-michael (pink skies)

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/into-the-storm-abstract-angel-artist-stephen-k.html (storm)

http://eec7808a2fdb66904fa0e5139b507fe3 (writing man painting)

https://www.dreamstime.com/winter-icy-branch-background-freezing-rain-image132643105 (frosty branch)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pino-Giclee-on-Canvas-S-Joyful-Memories-COA-38×29-beach-mother-daughter-/172217270674 (mother and daughter)

https://pixels.com/featured/tommervik-abstract-guitars-art-print-tommervik.html (guitar art)

https://www.emk-hauskreise.de/index.php?id=elfchen-kreatives-schreiben (rules for Elfchen)

https://www.whats-your-sign.com/freaky-number-eleven-sightings.html (the number 11)

https://www.dimension1111.com/the-number-11.html (number eleven fun facts)

https://wallpapersafari.com/number-11-wallpapers/ (eleven disappearing in water)

https://pjcookartist.com/product-category/paintings-pjcook/page/2 (maple tree in snow)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Categories: poetry

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43 replies ›

  1. ailsacawley
    February 2, 2020 • 10:55 am

    Thanks so much for sharing my poetry along with all the other fantastic work x

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
  2. Ginny Brannan
    February 2, 2020 • 12:04 pm

    The Elfchens were such fun to write! Ever so grateful to Yvonne for sharing your challenge to try these, and to you for sharing two of mine among all of this other fine writing! Thank you!!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓
    • stepsinbetween
      February 2, 2020 • 12:07 pm

      Yay! I’m so happy you joined in the fun. I could have added ALL of yours, as they were all beautiful, but I wasn’t sure it would be stealing away your entire post. Ha Ha! Thank you for passing on the Elfchen fun too! Cheers!!🥂

      Like

      Reply ↓
      • stepsinbetween
        February 6, 2020 • 9:14 pm

        Hey, Ginny, I fixed the formatting of your poem. I didn’t realize it messed up when I tried emphasizing your one word in the first poem. Sorry I didn’t catch that right away. It’s all squared away now. Yikes! So many Elfchens! 🙂

        Like

  3. the pretty poems
    February 2, 2020 • 12:33 pm

    it was realy fun reading this short poems and learning a new poetry technique! I was having fun with rhyming schemes last night.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  4. Benyapoesy
    February 2, 2020 • 2:06 pm

    It’s a very inspiring post, and thank you for the idea, I will try it for sure. 🌹

    Nice elfchens! 🤗

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  5. Carmen Peone
    February 3, 2020 • 9:11 am

    I love this type of poetry! Thanks for sharing. I’ll play with this…in my spare time…when I find some. 🙂 This summer for sure. Carmen

    *Carmen Peone *

    Women Writing the West Past President

    Award-Winning Author

    Heart of Passion – New Release!

    True to Heart Trilogy Book 3

    On Sun, Feb 2, 2020 at 10:18 AM Steps In Between wrote:

    > stepsinbetween posted: “One + two + three + four + one = eleven A little > challenge, a little math, and a lot of poetry! I love my writing community, > for a multitude of reasons, but today I am thankful for Charles Lindholm’s > poetry challenge: to write an Elfchen. After I bit in” >

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  6. thereluctantpoet
    February 3, 2020 • 3:32 pm

    Oh, My!! Cheers to you, Celaine for such a fantastic “Elfchen Poetry Potluck”! I am so humbled and awed by what a wonderful event you have created!! You are a Dynamo, My Dear! Would love to have this once a month. All the contributions were so wonderful to read! You have made my day and made my heart happy, Dear Celaine!! Bellissimo!!!
    xoxo 💖💖🌹😊
    Chuck

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    • stepsinbetween
      February 4, 2020 • 6:50 am

      You are too kind!! I appreciate your encouragement and support. This was a lot of fun, so I think will try more poetry events like this. I don’t know how often, but I will definitely try. Thank you so much. What a grand experience!! Take care!!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
      • thereluctantpoet
        February 4, 2020 • 6:54 pm

        This was a fantastic event that inspired so many others to write great works!! I’m still awed by your effort and energy to make this happen!!! This was a really joyous event, My Dear!! Thanks so much for doing it!!!
        xoxo

        Like

  7. thereluctantpoet
    February 3, 2020 • 5:07 pm

    Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet and commented:
    Please Do Not Miss This Feast of Fantastic Elfchens! Share the fun with your followers with a reblog!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  8. Physics and Art
    February 13, 2020 • 7:47 am

    Thanks for sharing such heartfelt and lyric words.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  9. johncoyote
    February 13, 2020 • 9:45 am

    The poetry was amazing. So many talented writers.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  10. JanBeek
    February 23, 2021 • 10:29 am

    What a delight to discover this post with all the wonderful and varied examples of Elfchen. I especially enjoyed the one by Linda Imbler – because I taught and learned from students for over 34 years. It was a most enjoyable and rewarding career. Yesterday I posted a blog written in multiple elfchen to tell the importance of embracing the gifts we have and those of others. You have certainly done this with your invitation to share “elevensies” here, John. http://www.janbeek.blog/embrace-gifts

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
  11. lilyionamackenzie
    July 18, 2021 • 5:36 pm

    I’m so happy to learn about this poetry form I’ve never heard of. I’m looking forward to trying to write an Elfchen myself! By the way, thanks for taking time away from your writing to visit my blog.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  12. Pat Fitzgerald
    March 19, 2023 • 12:36 pm

    Hi, I love the Elfchens. It is a totally new concept to me and I am struggling to find a word that fits. But My interest is much more than caught. But this irish man is learning something new.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  13. Jake Cosmos Aller
    January 18, 2024 • 3:05 pm

    great stuff thanks for sharing with the world

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  14. thereluctantpoet
    February 17, 2024 • 8:49 am

    Isn’t it time for another Potluck??? LOL!!
    😁💕🌹🌹

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    • stepsinbetween
      February 17, 2024 • 10:10 am

      You are probably right! Haha! I’m working on getting back to new posts again. I tell you—the more I write the busier I get! I’ve been writing Elfchens for book reviews lately too. Love them so much! 🤍

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
      • thereluctantpoet
        February 17, 2024 • 11:24 am

        So happy you love Elfchens!!! I end up writing some at a stoplight or on hold on the phone!! Helps to break writer’s block for sure! Writing new posts is a great thing, yes. Just have to be a better juggler. LOL! How is that writing Elfchens for book reviews going? Sounds interesting!!!
        Chuck
        😊😁💕🌹

        Like

Trackbacks

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