Elfchen

Today, I attempt to compose an ELFCHEN or, in English, an ELEVENIE

 

Wikipedia defines an Elevenie, or Elfchen, as follows:

“An elevenie (German Elfchen — Elf “eleven” and -chen as diminutive suffix to indicate diminutive size and endearment) is a short poem with a given pattern. It contains eleven words which are arranged in a specified order over five rows. Each row has a requirement that can vary.”

A simple form, similar perhaps to  Haiku, Senryu or Tanka, in which the poet attempts to carry an idea within a set format of words and lines which imposes certain strictures of thought and form on the author.

The usual format requires a short verse of eleven words in five lines in the form – 1, 2, 3, 4, 1.  An order which I have reversed in  my last of the 4 elfchen below  . . .

ELEVENSIE 1 . . .   On Poetry

Poetry
Felt experience
Not always beautiful
But rich in meaning
Worthwhile

ELEVENSIE 2  . . .   On Age

Years
Bring age
Not necessarily wisdom
Learn from your experience
Grow

ELEVENSIE 3  . . .   On Lockdown

Constriction
Distorting minds
Playing with normality
Threatening well earned contentment
Lockdown

REVERSE ELEVENSIE 4  . . .   On Covid19

Puzzlement
Why let us suffer
Whilst time passes
Our lives
Wasting