Crafting Poetry One Syllable at a Time
Posted on December 15, 2019 by Colleen M. Chesebro
The Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction December 12, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story about a gnome. It can be a garden gnome, a Christmas Joulutonttu, or a sauna protector. You can write magical realism or feature contemporary gnome-like product. Go where the prompt leads!
Respond by December 17, 2019.
Danica felt the presence of the domovoi in the kitchen. Flour covered the floor and the table.
“Did you make this mess?”
“Da,” a small voice answered.
“Don’t you want to celebrate the winter solstice?
Dusa was her home’s guardian, and he often helped her with household chores.
“I was afraid you forgot me.”
“I never forget you. Come, have some honey cakes. That will sweeten your mood.”
Dusa gobbled up the treats. With a snap of his fingers, the mess disappeared.
Always remember to take care of your house fairy and not neglect them. Especially during the holidays.
©2019 Colleen M. Chesebro
The Domovoi is a Slavic gnome-like house spirit that attaches themselves to a family. As benevolent spirits, they often protect the home and family from harm. Their primary purpose is to take care of the family.
Ancient-origions.net explains:
The Domovoi is most commonly described as being a tiny, hairy male humanoid creature with a long grey-beard. It may take on the form of a deceased ancestor, the current master of the house, or even family pets. Sometimes, the Domovoi is depicted as having a tail, tiny horns, and horse ears, or wearing a red shirt with a blue girdle.
The Domovoi: Ancientorigions.net
You don’t see them, but some people can sense their presence. In fact, you don’t want to see them! It’s considered bad luck to see your domovoi.
They are sensitive little beings who if ignored, will cause mischief. It’s always best to not piss-off the fairies. Seriously!
It’s customary to leave treats (always the best from your celebration) such as milk, honey, beer, wine, cake, cookies, etc. which will let the domovoi know that you appreciate them.
Read more about the Slavic Domovoi HERE.
The Winter Solstice is almost here. Remember to feed your domovoi.
Category: Authors Supporting AuthorsTags: #FlashFiction, Ancient-origions.net, Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction, Carrot Ranch Writing Challenges, flash fiction, Gnome, House Fairy, Slavic Gnome, The Domovoi
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“A good poem is a contribution to reality. The world is never the same once a good poem has been added to it. A good poem helps to change the shape of the universe, helps to extend everyone’s knowledge of himself and the world around him.”
—Dylan Thomas
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Colleen M. Chesebro is an American Poet who loves crafting paranormal fantasy and magical realism, cross-genre flash fiction, syllabic poetry, and creative nonfiction. Colleen sponsors a weekly syllabic poetry challenge, called Tanka Tuesday, on wordcraftpoetry.com where participants learn how to write traditional and current forms of haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, tanka prose, renga, solo-renga, haibun, cinquain, Etheree, nonet, and shadorma poetry. Colleen's syllabic poetry has appeared in the Auroras & Blossoms Poetry Journal, and in “Hedgerow, a journal of small poems.” She’s won numerous awards from participating in the Carrot Ranch Rodeo, a yearly flash fiction contest sponsored by carrotranch.com. In 2020, she won first place in the Carrot Ranch Folk Tale or Fable category, with her story called “Why Wolf Howls at the Moon.” Colleen is a Sister of the Fey, where she pursues a pagan path through her writing. When she is not writing, she is reading. She also loves gardening and crocheting old-fashioned doilies into works of art.
Cute entry, Sis 🥰
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LOL! You must take care of the house fairies, for sure. LOL! You know they are responsible for the messes in a house. They are the, “Who me’s,” children complain about. 😀 ❤
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😂😂😂
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Cute story, and a neat bit of lore.
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Thanks, Craig. I’m deep into Slavic mythology. Lots of scary creatures in their stories. 😀
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Good to know.
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Lots of new characters for you! 😀
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Very cute!
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And true! 😀 Thanks, Liz. ❤
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😀
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Yup, honey cakes for the house fairies, indeed. This was wonderful, Sis!
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Thanks. Pure fun for the Winter Solstice. 🥰🧚♀️🧹🎄🌵
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Good advice for all the spirits of the house! (K)
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Happy almost Winter Solstice! I will definitely leave something out for my Domovoi:)
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LOL! Between my land spirts, my Domovoi, and my good neighbors, I’m well looked after throughout the year. LOL! Glad you enjoyed. ❤
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I honor the land spirits, my domovoi, and my good neighbors. You’ve just got to keep everyone happy. ❤
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Magical, yet also dark and scary, Colleen. These creatures are not to be messed with at any time of the year.
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I make sure and honor all spirits, Hugh. I grew up with the Domovoi. It’s always best to be cautious. Happy Holidays, my friend. I hope you have a fun time. ❤
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Such cute characters with good hearts. I’m making religieuse for Christmas this year – hope the fairies like eating nuns!
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OHHHH… I don’t know what religieuse is?
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Choux buns!
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Ohhhh… like a cream puff but you can fill with other ingredients? Hey, I’m Russian/German I didn’t have a clue. LOL! 😀
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It’s a French pastry this time. They turned out ok, but I didn’t hand them out to people until the next day – and the pudding had soaked into the bread and turned everything to mush! Oh well, it was good mush for me!
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LOL! That’s the spirit!
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I loved this, Colleen! ❤ xo
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Thanks, Sis. It was fun. Kinda sweet but scary too. LOL! ❤
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Right up my alley, Sis! Have a great holiday weekend! ❤
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LOL! Happy Yule, Sis ❤️🎄🌵❄️
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