National Poetry Month: Two Elfchens

 

Hello Everyone!  National Poetry Month is nearing its end, and I've written two little poems that I'm happy to share today. Many of my poems this month have been elfchens, a form I have come to appreciate for its challenge of so few words.

This first poem came into being as a storm front came through, and I was fascinated by the clouds. They were low and ominous and deep gray, and they scudded past at a good clip.  At the same time, I was reading a book about a wildlife preserve in Africa. So... maybe I pushed the envelope here with the metaphor?  Anyway...  tell me what you think. (Older photo from a trip to MN.)

Storm

Glowering

Gray clouds

Heavy as rhinos

Stampede across the horizon.

Thunder!

The second poem comes from the view out my front window. Spring is at its height here, and I can tell because my eyes are itchy. It happens when the lilacs bloom. Bummer! I love their sweet scent.

Twirling, Twirling

Blushing

seeds adorn

maple's graceful arms.

On cue, breeze whispers: 

Waltz?

Hey, have you seen this???  Soon I'll be sharing some of my poems from Carol Labuzzetta's anthology, Picture Perfect Poetry. I'm so pleased with this beautiful gathering of photography and poetry.  I hope you will pick up a copy!

Poetry Friday is hosted today by Ruth, all the way from Uganda!  She has written a beautiful poem about her dreams of Haiti, where she once lived.  Find her blog and links to others HERE.

Do You Celebrate Snow?

Do you yearn for snow? I feel a sense of surprise and wonder with snowfall. I find it magical and transformative. Will flakes come down like feathers or hard little diamonds? Will they dance and twirl, or slant down with vengeance? Will I be able to smell snow in the air? 

A snow storm brings drama; it's a play with many actors. Will it be comedy? Romance? Tragedy? I may watch indoors or go out to feel the flakes on my face and catch some on a dark coat sleeve. Is it a heavy snow for making snowballs, or are the flakes feathery and light, dancing and twirling down?  Snow can be silent, shrouding the earth, or it can have a voice. It can whisper, or hiss. It can sting. 

I'm like a school child when a winter storm comes along. I want a good show. I delight at the beauty and despair at the slop, but any way you look at it, I want snow. For me, winter without snow is a letdown. 

This December we had warm weather and rain. Twice we had floods. Who needs this?  I want snow!

I no longer know this photo's origin, but what attitude! 

This week we finally had snow.  Below is my reaction by way of an elfchen, or elevensie, which I learned about from Margaret Simon. It's a short little thing, but I had fun with it. Eleven words in all, one word to begin and one to end. Then two, three, and four words per line. I didn't follow the rules exactly. Mine is more like a story than a description of the first word, but poetry is forgiving that way.

Waiting for Snow: An Elfchen

Today

Flakes flew

But too few

Tonight's snow whispers softly --

Pillows!

© Karen Eastlund

Alas, these photos are from earlier years. Our recent snow barely covered the grass, and then freezing rain. So I'm still dreaming of snow pillows, but don't despair, more snow is on the way!

Go ahead, give me some feedback!  I'd love to read your (polite and constructive) comments.

Poetry Friday is an online poetry party, and you are invited. Many thanks to Robyn Hood Black for hosting Poetry Friday today and for sharing everything lovely about tea, including some tea haiku.  Click HERE to find her post and links to other Poetry Friday poets.