Mushroom by Emily Dickinson

"Nature alone is antique, and the oldest art a mushroom."
--Thomas Carlyle

Mushroom Delight by Kupula

The Mushroom is the Elf of Plants --
At Evening, it is not --
At Morning, in a Truffled Hut
It stop upon a Spot

As if it tarried always
And yet its whole Career
Is shorter than a Snake's Delay
And fleeter than a Tare --

'Tis Vegetation's Juggler --
The Germ of Alibi --
Doth like a Bubble antedate
And like a Bubble, hie --

I feel as if the Grass was pleased
To have it intermit --
This surreptitious scion
Of Summer's circumspect.

Had Nature any supple Face
Or could she one contemn --
Had Nature an Apostate --
That Mushroom -- it is Him!

Zigana, Sea Salts by Xanna Ziskey


"I am...a mushroom on whom the dew of heaven drops now and then"
--John Ford, The Broken Heart (1633)

Mushroom Faerie by Tamzin Xigalia

The Mermaid by Alfred Lord Tennyson

WHO would be
A mermaid fair,
Singing alone,
Combing her hair
Under the sea,
In a golden curl
With a comb of pearl,
On a throne?

Image by Barbara Brown

II.
I would be a mermaid fair;
I would sing to myself the whole of the day;
With a comb of pearl I would comb my hair;
And still as I comb’d I would sing and say,
“Who is it loves me? who loves not me?”
I would comb my hair till my ringlets would fall,
Low adown, low adown,
From under my starry sea-bud crown
Low adown and around,
And I should look like a fountain of gold
Springing alone
With a shrill inner sound,
Over the throne
In the midst of the hall;
Till that great sea-snake under the sea
From his coiled sleeps in the central deeps
Would slowly trail himself sevenfold
Round the hall where I sate, and look in at the gate
With his large calm eyes for the love of me.
And all the mermen under the sea
Would feel their immortality
Die in their hearts for the love of me.

Image by Alena Lazareva

III.
But at night I would wander away, away,
I would fling on each side my low-flowing locks,
And lightly vault from the throne and play
With the mermen in and out of the rocks;
We would run to and fro, and hide and seek,
On the broad sea-wolds in the crimson shells,
Whose silvery spikes are nighest the sea.
But if any came near I would call, and shriek,
And adown the steep like a wave I would leap
From the diamond-ledges that jut from the dells;
For I would not be kiss’d by all who would list,
Of the bold merry mermen under the sea;
They would sue me, and woo me, and flatter me,
In the purple twilights under the sea;
But the king of them all would carry me,
Woo me, and win me, and marry me,
In the branching jaspers under the sea;
Then all the dry pied things that be
In the hueless mosses under the sea
Would curl round my silver feet silently,
All looking up for the love of me.
And if I should carol aloud, from aloft
All things that are forked, and horned, and soft
Would lean out from the hollow sphere of the sea,
All looking down for the love of me.

Tribute to Forest and Fauna All Over the World

To all the beautiful and majestic forests of this earth, and the creatures that make their homes there....

Picture by Magissa Denver

The Forest
by Leonard C. Mayer

The trees stand tall and stately,
surveying their domain-----
The first to glimpse the sunrise;
the first to feel the rain.

The flowers add some color
to mostly brown and green.
Their fragrance bathes the air
and makes it smell pristine.

The wind sets all in motion
and makes things come alive.
It brings the rain and pollen
that lets this world survive.

The sun lends warmth and comfort
to all the things that grow.
It's perfect for their needs,
high noon or evening glow.

The earth provides nutrition
and serves the mother role-----
Even the air that's needed
comes from her heart and soul.


Bless the Beasts and the Children
Song by the Carpenters

Bless the beasts and the children
For in this world they have no voice
They have no choice

Bless the beasts and the children
For the world can never be
The world they see

Light their way when the darkness surrounds them
And give them love, let it shine all around them

Bless the beasts and the children
Give them shelter from the storm
Keep them safe, keep them warm

Light their way when the darkness surrounds them
And give them love, let it shine all around them

Bless the beasts and the children
Give them shelter from the storm
Keep them safe, keep them warm

(the children)
(the children)
(the children)

Childhood: Lost and Found

by Tina Anderson


I remember, from times gone by
A world so magnificent So full of wonder I could hardly contain

I would stare out at the sun and say
"Mother, mother, it shines brightly
Amber in the sky!"
I would stare out at the moon and say
"Father, father, it shines gently
Silver in the sky!"
I would stare out at the stars and say
"Mother, father, they shine coolly
Jewels in the sky!"

In my dreams, I'd laugh
Dance among the clouds with angels
Watching sunsets with my muse
Put on the stars as a necklace
And talk gleefully with the birds

Light was my joy
I played in the sun
Happy and joyful and evermore alive

Darkness was my comfort
I reveled in the night
Sleeping and smiling and evermore alive

Then the bleakness caught my mind
From one day to another, I was left behind
Talking of amber in the sky brought scorn
Talking of silver in the sky brought snorts
Talking of jewels in the sky brought sighs
The admonishing words:
"Don't be foolish, girl
You are no longer a child,
But a being on the verge of adulthood
Leave childhood behind
Forget your kiddy dreams
Grow up, girl!
Leave childhood behind!"

I was obedient
I was good
I knew not these strangers
With whom my parents had left me
These... "teachers"
They were to tutor me on life
This was life?
Leaving dreams and childhood behind?
Forgetting my muses and angels?
My amber and silver and jewels?
This was life?!

"Leave soft songs of gold behind
Come to the world of numbers
Of tales that relate to you
That bring you to reality
Come back to earth, girl!"

I came to earth
I couldn't claim to come "back"
I don't believe I'd ever been there before
But I came to earth
Obedient
Good
I was absorbed in stories
Relating to what I should be
Absorbed in numbers
That should have fascinated me

Days went by
Months went by
Years went by
My life went by
I was obedient
I was good
I was sad beyond belief

Then, one day
As I precariously bordered the brink of womanhood
I was told
By an angel in teacher's guise
"Write for me, children grown up
Write for me a poem
Tell me your fantasies
The high-flying, swift parts of your soul
Write for me!"

Write for me...
My... soul?
I had... a soul?

My fingers rested lightly upon the paper
My pen rested lightly upon my fingers
I closed my eyes, searching for this
This
This elusive soul

Sweet laughter filled my ears
Harps of all religions' heavens sounded
Birds tittered
Amber, silver and jewels shone
And my muse touched cooling hands upon my brow
He kissed my cheek softly in welcome
He wiped away my tears
He embraced me
"Little girl, little child
Mistress of this world
Welcome home at last..."

An Enchanted GRAND OPENING Saturday, November 20!

This is the blog I just wrote on my sim, Enchanted's, site at http://enchantedelvenrealm.blogspot.com/:

I know I've rather neglected this blog since Enchanted opened! I've been busy working on other things, plus have been out of town off and on quite a bit. I have something very special I need to tell you about. Yes, we opened Enchanted a while back, but never had an "official" Grand Opening, so we plan to do that next Saturday the 20th of November. I hope everyone can come :) Our major event is the fact one of my favorite creators, Faery with Studio Sidhe, will launch her newest and most magical creation to date! If you're a fantasy buff like me and love beautiful and magical things, you can't miss this! Here is the slurl to the sim: slurl.com/secondlife/Elven%20Realm/160/154/22 We will also have a photo and poetry contest you can enter at the event. There will be first, second and third prizes for each contest given away. All photos need to be taken in Enchanted of Elven Realm, plus poems written should be original, fantasy themed, and use Enchanted as inspiration :) I can't wait to see all that creativity out there! You may submit pictures to the Enchanted group site on Flickr. Please just type "contest entry" as the caption and upload the picture. You will have to join the group first, it is open enrollment. Here is the link: http://www.flickr.com/groups/enchantedelvenrealm/

As far as the poetry contest, please submit your poems on a notecard in Second Life to my avie, Natalie Montagne. You may also submit to my email at nataliemontagne@yahoo.com. Be sure to put your name on them! Both contests earliest entry must be on the day of the event or after. We will accept entries until December 5 and winners will be announced on December 7.

We are planning to have a DJ off and on the day of the event and possibly some other things in store. A percentage of all proceeds from the event will benefit the Friends of Animals fund. Hope to see you there!

Too Much Candy!

Halloween Candy

Candy is my favorite treat
lots of kinds for you to eat!

M&M's, Hershey Kiss,
Snicker Bars and licorice.

Candy corn for Halloween
Chewy pumpkins
filled with cream.

Getting candy on Halloween
Can't eat too much
Or my mom will scream.

Halloween is lots of fun
Scary costumes
for everyone.
Ghosts and goblins
and witches too
I like candy, do you?

By Alexandra

The Jar

If I could capture all the enchantment of the forest in a jar,
Then I would open it and let it escape when needed near or far.


I wish I could collect the magic dust and bubbles that sparkle in the breeze, as they make their way in and around the tall, dark trees.

I wish I could pick the kaleidoscopic mushrooms that cover the forest floor,
So many shapes and sizes that glow and adorn.


I wish I could catch the tinkling sound of the fairy flying by,
And the bewitching voice of the mermaid’s lullaby.

I wish I could trap the beams from the twinkling stars and moon above,
Filtering through the wooded forest I love.


I wish I could contain the majestic power of the unicorn
As it stands peacefully on the river bank where it was born.


All the magic of the forest contained in a jar
Would have the power to captivate both near and far.

Clothes: Merenwen by Selina Forder of Elvenbreath
Boots: Ving boots in Black by Fallingwater Cellardoor of Shiny Things
Skin: April/Crocus 2 in Sundust Light by Gala Phoenix of Curio
Hair: Riley in Platinum by Truth Hawks of Truth

Location: Tol Narwa Vire and Jaded Wings

My Knight

You came into my life only by chance
Like a falling star seen quickly at a glance.
Like a perfect rainbow after the storm,
There you were, my new found friend, so warm.

You made me feel like I've never felt before,
Special as that first love feeling I adore.
Special as a bright and flawless gem,
You became much more than just a friend.

We had fun talking for hours on end
As we learned each other's values, beliefs and trends.
The more we learned, the more our love grew.
The more I discovered, the more I fell in love with you.

You see, you are everything a girl could want in a man.
You have it all my friend, the total package to no end.
You're patient, loving, sensitive and bright.
Strong, amazing and passionate, you are my Knight.

My Knight in shining armor, that's what you are.
You came to rescue me from afar.
You came and showed me what true love is all about.
Yes my Knight, you changed my life, without a doubt.

I am truly, madly, and deeply in love with you.
You've touched my heart in ways I never knew.
Guide your white horse over here and pull me up next to you to ride.
Then take me away with you so I can be forever by your side.

You

You are unique like a snowflake that falls from the sky
Glistening as it blankets the ground in wintertime

You are beautiful like the mountains that line the horizon
Mighty, majestic, and colorful as they stand out in the sun

You are strong like the trees that make the forest their home
Steadfast and sturdy as they protect all creatures who roam

You are kind like a bubbling spring stretching from a river
Sparkling clear and fresh as it provides water for the drifter

You are thoughtful like a bluebird as it builds a nest for its young
Diligent and selfless as it prepares protection, a hero who is unsung

You are loving like a mature buck who guides and fathers its fawn
Leaping and prancing in the woods from dusk until dawn

You are amazing as is all nature and living things made by God’s hand
For you were also made by the same, encompassing many facets of sea and land


I originally wrote this poem for someone special and wanted to post it here because it just seemed to fit within the magical realms of this site.

The Magic Wood

The little girl lives in the wood around the bend,
She was lonely with only storybooks as friends.
Her favorites were tales of unicorns and elves.
Though many others filled her bookshelves.

One day the little girl wandered deep in the woods,
Her imagination grew with each step of her foot.
Suddenly she found herself lost and afraid
And tears filled her eyes as the sun went away.

As the big, tall trees surrounded the little girl,
Darkness set in and she felt she was in a different world.
She heard all kinds of sounds in the night,
And even saw a troll's outline in the moonlight.

Splendid elf of the misty wood,
Light the way for the little girl so afraid.
Brighten the path she must follow
So she may find a one-horned friend in the hollow.

Majestic unicorn divine and white,
Let the little girl tame your regal might..
Carry her to the one who twinkles like starlight,
And finds the way to her worried mother's sight.

Mischievous fairy of magical flight
Guide the little girl lost through the night.
Sprinkle her with your soothing dust,
And calm her awesome fright you must.

Enchanting mermaid with long, flowing hair,
Warn her when the water's near.
Sing your song of ocean dreams
Until she reaches her house upstream.

The little girl is finally home.
She's in her mother's arms where she belongs.
Her mother wonders how she found her way,
The little girl smiles and looks away.

She bravely looks at the woods with a grin,
Thinking she'll never be lost or lonely again.
She watches four figures fading into the wood,
Knowing in her heart true friendship is good.


As the above poem is a curious little girl's amazing adventure in the woods ending in the discovery of a wonderful friendship, this blog will express the adventures, ideas and information of a mischievous, yet good-hearted elf making discoveries of her own. Enjoy!