Leaves touch earth with a
quiet whisper that sadly says,
the elves must go.
It’s time, it’s true.
Frost unfurls in fern-like
spirals on puddles, churned
by booted feet yesterday.
The elves must go.
The west wind arrives with
dancing flakes, tapping
morse code on windowpanes.
It’s time, it’s true.
Queen bees drowse in
honeycomb bowers.
Each tiny snore is a soft
farewell. The elves must go.
Copyright 2016 Brenda Davis Harsham
Notes: I read Fairy Song, a poem by Louisa May Alcott, at Kurious Kitty’s Kurio Cabinet, and I decided to write my own version. This concept of using a mentor poem (or book) is something I only discovered after I joined writer groups.
Happy Poetry Friday! Visit Jama for wisdom, healing and poetry with a side of tea. Thanks for hosting, Jama!
62 thoughts on “The Elves Must Go”
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Friendly Fairy Tales 
Loved it!
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Thank you!
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Reblogged this on A Few of My Favorite Things… and commented:
Enjoy this beautiful poem by Brenda Davis Harsham.
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Oh, how sweet this one is! xoxo
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I don’t use repetition much, but I am trying to figure it out. 🙂 I’m glad you like it.
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I love the way you used repetition in this poem, Brenda. I also hope the elves return, along with dancing, music, joy, and respect for our natural world.
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Your comment reminds me of the movie, Trolls, that I went to yesterday with my 7-year-old daughter. 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
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They elves may go…just so long as they come back!!
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Yes! They must come back. I was thinking of this as a metaphor for the election season as well. Perhaps our hopes of a more balanced world where a woman could be president may have to hibernate, but they will return with a new spring. I hope the political winter is not too harsh.
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So many gorgeous images, Brenda! Autumn is full of inspiration, isn’t it?
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My favorite season for a reason. 🙂
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Hopefully the elves will be back, Brenda… can you make sure you wake them when it’s time? (Love your leaf photo!)
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Thanks, Violet. I expect they will enjoy snoozing the winter away. I know I would. 😉
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Wow, Brenda! Love the repeated refrains “the elves must go” and “it’s time, it’s true”. Beautiful. =)
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Yay! Thanks! I didn’t want it to be sing-songy, but I was hoping the repetition would work.
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beautiful, fascinating words
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Thank you!
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Another fantastic fantastical story! 🌹
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Thanks! I’m glad you like mine, too. XOXO
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Brenda, I love your poem and its melancholy, wistful mood with that solemn repetition of the unavoidable departure. Late fall feels like that, doesn’t it? (The promise of ice fairies is a sweet consolation though! ) The lines “Queen bees drowse in/honeycomb bowers” are just beautiful. I enjoyed knowing that you’d been inspired by Louisa May Alcott, one of my childhood favorites, too!
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Louisa May Alcott helped me see that being your own you is more important than being what others expect you to be. I reblogged your poem, and I hope some of my lovers of fairy poems stop by to meet and appreciate you.
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
GOOD BYE…TAKE CARE OF YOUR ELVES!!!! 🙂 “ELF-IS…” LEAVING THE GARDEN!
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LOL You are a genius with puns.
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Instead of SWORDPLAY…for me it’s WORDPLAY… ’cause biting the tongue is safer than sticking ones’ self with a sword! 🙂
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Wordplay is more fun!
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YUP…and less gory! 🙂
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I’m putting up an Autumn Shindig invitation in a couple minutes. I hope you will add a link to your beautiful fall photo or a poem.
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wow. I’ll be there!
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Yay!
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There’s such a wistful sadness in this poem…just beautiful, Brenda.
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Thanks, Tara.
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Wow! Just wonderful, Brenda! Loved the rhythm and the repeated “the elves must go!”
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Thanks, Penny!
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Wistful and beautiful – actually had me thinking of The Lord of the Rings, and the elves departing. Really lovely.
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Jane, what a fabulous comment. I hadn’t thought of the LOTR, but you’re right. That is a wistful image that works well.
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Spellbinding!! Love this! Louisa May Alcott is a favorite as she was the first work I was introduced to in my youth. She and a few others are what began my inspiration. Blessings to you!
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I remember reading Little Women when I was very young and thinking about how hard it was for them as women — supported but not really free to make choices for themselves without considering others. Thanks for this great comment that brought back my own memories.
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What you just wrote could be said for today’s women as well…across the centuries. Wise words! And…you are welcome. Your post evoked some long held memories for me as well and it was nice to look. 🙂 Blessings!
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Blessings to you as well. Happy Weekend.
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Wow! Well done…..to see something by Louisa May Alcott and then carry on with this creation. Gorgeous. Your use of repetition is perfect….just like November….ethereal but only as it pulls away in leaving. I love this!
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Thank you, Linda. I loved Alcott’s poem, and I wanted to write my own farewell. 🙂
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Among all the other things we are saying goodbye to, I love that you are writing of a goodbye to elves, Brenda. It’s a little sadness with all the other goodbyes. I love this part and the way it sounds: “Frost unfurls in fern-like/spirals on puddles”. We are unusually warm still, and butterflies and bees are still here & not drowsy at all! Perhaps soon!
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I confess I was imagining and remembering past falls. We are still warm here, too.
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I especially love the drowsing bee and of course that wonderful ending! Thank you, Brenda. xo
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Thanks, Irene!
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What an enchanting poem. You transported me! The elves must go . . . to my house. 🙂
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Beware. They steal keys and drink the milk! 😉
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Beautiful. I love the repetition which makes it very song-like.
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Thanks, Sally. I had fun taking a vacation from political worries.
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In Iceland people take great care of elves because there you have special ELVES RESPONSIBLES who need to approve construction of new roads or houses such in order to avoid that the elves or fairies become very naughty or leave their hereditary domiciles. This is really true!
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I have heard that. I am fascinated. I would love to visit. To get away from Trump-obsessed Land of Division.
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I enjoyed this poem of yours, Brenda.
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Thanks, Carol. I felt the need to reach for lightness after recent events.
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I certainly understand that. I had the need to notice, wonder, and find serenity.
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I think they are all healing urges.
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welcome in the frost fairies when they arrive with their beautiful crystals, a thing to behold )
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Yes, I miss frosted windows now that ours are double-paned and insulated.
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NooooooO!!!! Come baaack!!!
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LOL The frost fairies will be here soon. 😉
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you had me with your title
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Thanks, Melanie!
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