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 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.
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
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
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.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)
- A Wriggling Writing Mind
- CC’s Interview Series: Pamela Hobart Carter (Writer, Poet, Playwright, Artist) February 2020
Categories: poetry
Tags: #amwritingpoetry, #author, #authoring, #celainecharleswriter, #celebrating, #challenge, #counting, #creativewriting, #dogs, #Elfchen, #Elfchen11, #emotion, #feelings, #friends, #Friendship, #ilovewriting, #love, #poem, #poet, #poetrycelebration, #poetrycommunity, #poetrycorner, #Poetryfriends, #poetryofinstagram, #poetrywriters, #stepsinbetween, #stories, #thoughts, #writerfriends, #writersjourney, #writerslife, #writersofinstagram, #writingcommunity, #writingeveryday, #writingisfun, amwriting, celebration, encouragement, inspiration, nature, poetry, publishing, reading, writers
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Steps In Between 
Thanks so much for sharing my poetry along with all the other fantastic work x
LikeLiked by 2 people
Of course! I love spreading the joy… your work is thoughtful and lovely! Thank you for sharing yourself!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
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!!🥂
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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! 🙂
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it was realy fun reading this short poems and learning a new poetry technique! I was having fun with rhyming schemes last night.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice!! I’m so happy you enjoyed them. Thanks so much for reading and happy writing to you as well! 💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a very inspiring post, and thank you for the idea, I will try it for sure. 🌹
Nice elfchens! 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!! I appreciate the feedback and am happy you’re giving it a go!
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
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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” >
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh you must! It’s very similar to Haiku. And you are the master of Haiku! Thank you for tour support!! Take care and happy writing. I know you have so much going on. 💕
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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
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!!
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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
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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!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s all because of your challenge for me! Thank you for sharing!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Thanks for you sweet comment! I’m so very happy you took up the challenge and look what you have done!! Awesome!!!
xoxo 💖🌹
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Thanks for sharing such heartfelt and lyric words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the encouragement, and I appreciate you reading! 😊
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The poetry was amazing. So many talented writers.
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It was a lot of fun!! I love all the different takes of the Elfchen. Just a fun little writing break. Thanks for reading!
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I enjoyed the work and you are welcome.
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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
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I am so thrilled that this fun Elfchen celebration touched you! I will surely check out your link! Thank you! And I will pass on your praise to Linda Imbler! I am a teacher too. Take care and happy writing!
LikeLiked by 2 people
See how wonderful and far reaching your post is and has become! I always share it when someone is interested in learning about Elfchen. Might you consider hosting another “Elfchen Potluck”??
Chuck
😘💖🌹😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I should! I will try an organize another one, maybe in the spring! Thank you so much!! It all began with YOU!
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Oh, that would be so wonderful of You!! Your post was the perfect explanation and demonstration of Elfchen, Celaine!! I always send it as a link to anyone I introduce to Elfchen! A new potluck in the Spring would be so Great!! You are Awesome!
xoxox 😘💕🌹😊
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Now I’m excited! Okay…making plans! 🙂
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Thank you! Happy Writing to you, too! ❤ It's such fun to receive comments like yours! ❤ You make me smile. ❤
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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.
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You are welcome! And YAY! Elfchens are so fun! I hope you enjoy them. Share one of you feel comfortable. Cheers to you!
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