Elflock
An "E" Entry for The A-Z of Unusual Words Challenge
Elflock: a lock of hair, fancifully regarded as having been tangled by the elves
My Connection: I have very fine hair that tangles easily. Therefore combing and brushing out matted hair has been a constant routine for me since childhood. I think it would be quite fantastic if those terrible tangles were the work of sneaky mythical creatures. There's something about making the mundane magical that makes me smile, so I hope this poem inspires a grin or two.
My Terzanelle Poem:
I awoke just before seven o'clock
After the most strange and fanciful dream
To a dreadful tangle of an elflock
Had a nighttime visitor it would seem
With some pointed ears and nimble fingers
For as with most strange and fanciful dreams
The whispering of their presence lingers
Naughty elves with their talent for mischief
And their pointed ears and nimble fingers
Have knotted my fine hair beyond belief
There are tangles on top and underneath
Naughty elves with their talent for mischief
Now I must suffer the comb's savage teeth
Each gossamer strand of gold twisted tight
There are tangles on top and underneath
Surely I'm quite a sad and sorry sight
Each gossamer strand of gold twisted tight
I awoke just before seven o'clock
With a dreadful tangle of an elflock
Author's Note: This piece was created for Penny Fuller's The A-Z of Unusual Words Challenge. Check out the details in the story linked below.
About the Creator
D.K. Shepard
Character Crafter, Witty Banter Enthusiast, World Builder, Unpublished novelist...for now
Fantasy is where I thrive, but I like to experiment with genres for my short stories. Currently employed as a teacher in Louisville.
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Comments (28)
I've heard of a fairy locks also. Today I learned about terzanelles thanks to your piece.
Congratulations on Top Story - Well Done!!!
Well-told and so intriguing! I have never heard that word, but instantly love it.
Fun word and fun read!!! Love it!!! Congratulations on Top Story!!!❤️❤️💕
Hahaha, I can see the elf sitting on the pillow doing it. Guess you need a cap to tuck your hair into! Congrats on TS. 🎉
Wow DK! I learned something new here and enjoyed your poem. Well done Top Storyan (and sorry to be late to the party.)
Brilliant
Top story 😁, loved it 💕😊
Cool word! At first glance I thought it would be a term for a flock of elves 😅. Great poem. Gave me the smiles!
I love the whimsy of this piece DK, congrats on Top Story!!
What a fantastic top story! and my hair was just like that when I was a child. I'm glad I don't have to put up with it anymore. I heart you though, because it's an awful thing to put up with.
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
congratulations-- and i thought curls were bad!
Now I know something I didn't a moment ago. Congratualtions
Congratulations on top story - Well Done
Congratulating you on your well-deserved Top Story as well! 😊
Wow! This is so lovely! Well, for me it's quite difficult to detangle my hairs so often 'coz of their length and thickness (btw I'm also thankful to God) . Congratulations to you for earning TS 🤗 🎉🥳 Well deserving top story 👏✨
Took their time, but congrats on Top Story! Awesome stuff.
Elflock! This poem was just as whimsical as the word itself :) Such a delightful read, D.K.!
Delightful poem looking on the bright side of tangled fine hair! New word for me!🤔 I’ve never had knotty hair in my life… one blessing of having thick hair.
Oh I loved this! It was so whimsical! Great job!!
Well-wrought! A pure delight! Are dredlocks then made by Rastafarian Elves, perhaps?
Great poem, it made me smile. I've always liked my not easily tangled hair but now I need to reassess, maybe it's just that the elves don't like me...
Omgggg, my hair tangles sooo easily too and it's so frustrating! Loved your word and poem!
Your verse is woven with suitably elfin dexterity!