I wasn’t planning to post for Poetry Friday today, but I’ve been playing with the elchen form (also known as elevenie), a challenge from the Poetry Sisters. Mary Lee shared the Wikipedia definition of the form. I wrote one last week for This Photo Wants to be a Poem.
While my family has been vacationing in the mountains of North Georgia, coincidentally the words of the day in my email inbox have worked for elchen play.
slippers
warm toes
on cold mornings
this winter’s saving grace
hygge*Word of the day: hygge- A quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).
Pack
suitcase, car
drive all day
family voyage to mountains
viator**Word of the Day 12/26/23 Viator traveler, wayfarer
still shines
in your eyes
sea glass blue joy
luminaria*
*Luminaria is a lantern typically used at Christmas.
Wayward
*Word of the Day 12/29/23 Gallivant: Go around from one place to another in the pursuit of pleasure or entertainment.
wanders hopeful
small mountain town
ice cream with sprinkles
gallivant*
Reflections on the Teche 
I think someone from Denmark may appreciate your gallivant through this “small mountain town” and find the “hygge” nestled there! Glad you joined in Margaret- what warmth, coziness, and fun you’ve found there! Love the pics too especially of you and your beautiful grandchildren, thanks, enjoy and 🥳 Happy NEW YEAR!
Lovely sentiments, Margaret. I think the elfchen is my new favorite form. I also loved how you used each word of the day – a way to cement it into your brain. Happiness to you and yours in 2024!
Oh, Margaret, I’m so glad you wrote these beauties down during your vacation. So much sweetness and new words to learn and practice. I love the photos sprinkled in too. What a wonderful time and place for vacation!
Oh, my goodness. These are brilliant!! The introduction of these new words feels so effortless and yet is really a pretty lift! I’m especially a fan of the slippers poems. SO COZY!!
That looks like a fun trip! That’s cool that you wrote during vacation. I enjoyed reading these very much. Happy New Year, Margaret!
Lovely! We stayed in North Georgia a couple of summers ago in a cabin.
Writing and sharing with words and definitions and photos – awesome, Margaret! Part of my family is vacationing in the Utah mountains – ‘viators’. I’ll share! Happy New Year wishes to you & all the family!
Lovely and cozy indeed–little hygge elfchen! My favorite is slippers, and those wee viators you have with you. Happy New Year, Margaret!
These are so lovely, and they’re filled with the thoughtful and heartful outlook that shines from you. Love using the word of the day. That’s brilliant. Happy New Year, Margaret!
And I see a simple poem connecting all four of your elfchens:
slippers
pack
wayward
light
You beam joy. Blessings for more family time in 2024, Margaret.
Happy New Year, Margaret! What a wonderful set of elfchens. Those photos show your batteries re-charging. I can almost see a glowing lighting bolt on your forehead. I’m wishing you lots of ideas and time to create in 2024.
We visited there back when we lived in Atlanta and had a good time. Glad you are having hygge fun with your family!
Margaret, your photos are full of joy! Family vacations are the best. All of your elfchens are wonderful, but I especially love the last one. Happy New Year!
Wonderful poems and I love the photos too! Happy, healthy new year!
You look so happy & full of great health wonderful Margaret! I feel your four Elvenie/ Elfchen would win an authentic elf cap from the originators.
Happy NY Weekend to You & Adorable Family of candle glow & soft cozy blanket throws. in the cosy GA mountains.
Brilliant weaving of vacation and words-of-the-days into snapshots, keepsakes.
Those grands look so very huggable! Give them a squeeze from me!
I loved how you used an unusual word as the last line. Hygge! Your elfchen are fun to read and photos beautiful and interesting. I hope you and your grandchildren all have a Happy New Year!