Here in the deep south, live oak trees are iconic. This root is old and has emerged over time from the ground. I took notice of its unique design. As no two humans are exactly the same, I imagine trees have their own personalities, too.
I started the year 2024 with writing daily elfchen. For this Advent season, I’ve picked up the form again. Here are the rules:
Grounded
Roots revealed
Begging us hear
The true language of
Connection
Margaret Simon, draft
Join me today in writing to this photo prompt. Come back to offer encouragement to other writers.
Reflections on the Teche 
I think this is my first elfchen attempt, but the photo of the root—like so many root-fascinated and dead limbs I’ve photographed for the mystery they seem to hold—inspired me to try (and don’t know why it forces a double-spaced format):
OAK-ROOT MUSIC
Swirled
Nature’s song
Semi-swirl treble clef
Connecting heart to earth
Singing
Carol, you can try hitting shift before enter to make a single space.
I am so happy you tried the form. It’s getting more comfortable for me, but I don’t always follow the guidelines. I love the image of the treble clef (I am a singer), and how it connects your (or my) heart to earth. Thanks for writing!
Carol, try hitting shift before enter for each line to make a single space.
I love the image of the treble clef and how it connects you (and me) to earth.
Thanks for writing!
Nicely done, Carol. Love that you brought music into yhe image.
Thank you, Rose!
Carol, first I love the poem published in the new anthology I saw on fb about missing one’s mom. I have not tried an elfchen, so am pushing myself to give it a try. I see your treble clef , love your title, hear the singing and feel that heart-earth connection. Think of trees on a windy day, a sunny day, a bitter winter cold day and finally bursting with color, surrounded by their acorns on an autumn’s day. To ponder a tree feels good. A landscape without them feels so lonely to me, though I know the desert and rock formations sing their own songs. Nice.
Thank you so much, Janet! I love your description of trees as they stand (or lie) through the seasons…And I do love the desert too—something primitive and profound about the space.
Rooted in Mystery
Question mark root of solid oak,
lying ensconced above and below.
Might you be a dinosaur’s bone,
a knee or perhaps pterodactyl’s head?
Giant oak of such long standing,
have you conversed with this extinct bird?
In nature is there an ancient world
a place for spirit inquiry?
Winds are howling,
beneath winter’s snow,
green grass lies buried,
rests, pauses, ponders.
Waits for answers,
waits to grow.
Searches for meaning,
wants to know.
Janet Clare F., draft 2024
I like how the image of the question mark lead to all the questions and the “wanting to know” theme.
All the questions for the question mark root! Thanks for writing today and taking us on a journey of wonder.
I’m late today, Margaret. I followed your lead and also tried an elfchen.
serpent
swirling beneath
its mighty mother
clinging to earth’s surface
grounded
I considered ending with grounded. I love/hate the serpent image. One of my students saw a dragon. Thanks for writing today.
Oh to have some time to play with a form. I wonder if I can turn mine into an elfchen? I like the way you connect the serpent to it’s might mother. I need to find out more about the elfchen form. Yours has a nice flow.
Hi, Margaret, I couldn’t help but see this stately friend in the roots. Once I saw, I couldn’t unsee him. Thanks for the elfchen reminder. “The true language of / Connection” is so beautiful. If only we could all learn from the wise oak.
Wizard
Lies waiting
under the tree
watching the living changes
Patience
Oh a Wizard, how perfect, Denise! Changes, patience and wisdom. Lovely Denise.
Clever word for the first line. And we sure need more patience, especially this time of year. Thanks for joining us in writing.