Molly Hogan captured this funny photo on a recent outing into the marsh in Maine. I love how she captured the reflection as well. These shorebirds are called yellowlegs for the obvious reason that they have yellow legs, but I think watching them skitter along the shore would bring a smile to anyone’s face.
Let this photo be your muse this morning as we get closer to slower, beach-filled days of summer. I welcome the extra time, but not the heat. Our temperatures in the south are already inching up to 90 degrees. Leave a small poem in the comments.
I’m back to my daily elfchen practice. A reminder of the form: eleven words, 1, 2, 3, 4, 1. The first word introduces the topic, the second tells what it does, the third where it is, and the fourth how it makes you feel (I go for a metaphor in this line), ending with a word of transformation from the first word.
Yellowlegs
Margaret Simon, draft
toothpick race
across sandy marsh.
No one wins a prize–
Solidarity.
Reflections on the Teche 
I love this photo, thanks for sharing Molly’s treasure-filled pic Margaret, and your “toothpick race” is perfect!
I had to borrow your first few words, they flew me into my poem…
HERE WE COME…
Da dun
da dun, da dun
da dun
Into the marsh
in Maine
we march
Three yellow legs
capture movement
with fun each one,
Reflect upon
our
reflection
Double pleasure
with
double vision
Da dun
da dun, da dun
da dun…
Michelle Kogan
Michelle, I love your repetition of da dun! It perfectly captures the great yellow legs’ high stepping gait. I love the rhythm of your poem. Yes, to double pleasure with double vision.
Love that marching rhythm. Da dun.
Margaret, when I saw this adorable photo on Molly’s FB, I immediately thought the photo needed a poem. However, my mind went to the three hatchlings’ dialogue instead.
Marshpipers
Ready?
I’m ready.
Hey, wait for me.
I am hungry.
I am hungry, too.
Hey, can you please slow down?
Slow down?
Slow down?
Hey, I’m caught up. Let’s run.
Gail Aldous draft
Cute. I can imagine their little marching chatter.
Thank you, Margaret.
Lovely Gail, I like the repetition in your poem too, it adds to their young and adventuresome character!
Thank you, Michelle.
Margaret, I love your elfchen. Toothpick race is great. Love the transformation to solidarity. Thank you for reminder about how to write an elfchen. Thank you for choosing this adorable photo of Molly’s.
Plover
Maine Yellowlegs
Piping water songs
Hidden in plain sight
Dancing.
Phyllis McLaughlin Nauman 5/7/24
I like piping water songs! Thanks for writing.
Phyllis, I also like piping water songs. They do look like they’re dancing.
Marching at water’s edge
seabirds on a mission.
The search for tasty meals
just a stab away!
But wait, 3 others
seem nestled, close by the shoreline.
Will they share?
Tuu-whee, tuu-whee they call.
Wistful seashore music
as they skitter along
marching toward home.
Janet Clare F.
Hi Janet,
I love your poem especially the lines “seabirds on a mission, Tuu-whee, tuu-whee they call. Wistful seashore music.” It really looks like they’re marching. I like how you added that the pipers might think their reflections are more birds. I thought about that, too. I looked up their vocalizations, too. They make sweet sounds.
Thanks for adding your unique perspective about the reflections. The onomatopoeia is great!