The actual gnome tree. About 9′ around.
A Haibun/tanka for Colleen’s #Tanka Tuesday challenge. We had to use synonyms for Spring (newborn) and Song (squawk). Okay, maybe a stretch, but here goes:
The Return of the Gnome King
(A True Story)
The Dragon Wood awakens with the returning light. Our meadow greens beneath winter’s withered grass, and spears of horsetail stand at attention, stalwart sentinels lining our path. They await the guardian snails whose slimy pilgrimage to the gnome tree is a slow one. Deer twitch their ears, alert for the gnome king’s return.
We fear not the witch in her uprooted stump. Rusty barbed wire holds her captive, and her mosquito hordes still slumber. Instead, we pause in awe to listen to newborn dragons skritch and squawk from the hollow stumps of ancient firs, this year’s fledglings still too young to fly. We’ll seek them among the moss-wrapped alders when spring’s marsh has dried, but now, other duties demand our attention. With our magic sticks, we must dig for treasure around the gnome tree’s roots.
I stand on the summoning-rock at the edge of the bog. An orange salamander gazes up, eager for my call. “Oh, mighty gnomes,” my voice soars into the forest. “Spring is upon us, and the gnome king has returned. Emerge from your winter home with gold and gems. For many months, the king has protected you and the creatures of the forest. His promise was kept. It is time to pay him tribute. Oh, mighty gnomes, heed my call.”
The gnome king nods his approval. “That was a good one, Grammy.”
“Thank you, my King.”
Dream, my little child
Of dragons, gnomes, and kingdoms
Treasure and witches
Forgive your silly grownups’
Misplaced imaginations
Myths of the Mirror 
You have a way with words that’s almost…musical. Lovely. 🙂
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Thank you. What a lovely comment. This is a true story that repeats itself numerous times from spring through autumn. The Gnome King has an insatiable desire for gems. 🙂 Thanks for the smile.
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Fabulous, as always. Loved this, Diana, both the story and the poem. :).
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Thank you, Sebnem. I’m hoping to keep the Gnome King’s adventure going as long as I can. He has a wonderful imagination. 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. ❤
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What this something you created for your grandchild?
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My grandson is the Gnome King. 🙂
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Love this, Diana! It sounds like you and Tornado Boy have some wonderful adventures! There’s nothing quite like the woods in their fresh spring greens, before everything grows wild. So glad Spring is here!
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Tornado Boy is completely into the fantasy world around our house, and I do everything in my power to encourage it. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the poem, Julie. Hope you’re having a great week!
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Oh, and I loved the guardian snails!! 😄🐌
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We have lots of guardian snails. They’re very dutiful and vigilant. 🙂
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Aww – this is so lovely and beautiful, Diana! The Gnome King is lucky to have such a grandma!! 😄 This reminded me of my childhood games when I also went looking for fairies and dragons – would love to go back there sometime. 😄❤
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Thanks, Sarah. It sounds like you can relate to the joys of imagination. I’m thinking we might build fairy houses in the woods this summer too. I’m keeping the fantasy running at full speed as long as I can. Thanks so much for the visit. ❤
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I kept wondering how this could be a true story, but you let me in on it with ‘That was a good one, Grammy.’ The Gnome King is a lucky boy. Your Tanka is a stunning reminder to us grownups to tune in to imagination even if vicariously through the children in our lives.
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Thanks so much, Molly. The gnome king will be turning six this summer, and pretty soon he’s going to be taught what adults think is real and imaginary. He’ll learn that he’s not the gnome king, but I hope he continues to be open to the possibilities in the invisible world. That’s Grammy’s mission! Lol. Have a wonderful Friday and weekend. ❤
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It is so magical to see children’s belief in possibilities we’ve long abandoned as adults. We had our two grandsons with us for St. Patrick’s Day and Cameron (7 yo) built a Leprechaun trap with a sign that said, “Pot of gold at the bottom. Seriously.” In the morning he and Maxwell (5 yo) were disappointed to find they had not caught a leprechaun but delighted to see the little fella had left his green undies behind, along with lots of mischievous deeds!
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Ha ha ha. I love that. I’m so glad your grandies are getting to experience such magic. Amazing imaginations and so much fun. And of course, the leprechaun would be up to mischief around your house. Too funny! ❤
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Beautiful descriptive writing
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Thank you, Derrick. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. The gnome king has a good time at Grammy and Grampy’s house. 🙂 Have a beautiful day!
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Wonderful, Diana. You and Tornado Boy had a big adventure. Salamanders! 🙂
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Every time he visits, we go treasure-hunting at the gnome tree, Jennie. And we always must announce the king’s presence from the summoning-rock. It’s great fun and I’ll make it last as long as I can. 😀 Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. ❤
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I love that, Diana!! He will never forget. I hope it lasts a few more years. Best to you, my friend. ❤️
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Fun story! I’d like to meet the gnome king.
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Thanks for the visit, Lyn. The gnome king is adorable, but of course, I’m biased. 🙂 Have a lovely day and Happy Writing!
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This has a wonderful message about imaginations. I too fear without them, so many treasures will be lost and forgotten – and that gnome king will be stuck with all that loot forever. Your prose reveal details in such a fluid manner that it is so easy to be hooked. And I also really liked this poem, you gave it just the right amount of wit while maintaining such good flow. Awesome!
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Thanks, Ethan, for the lovely comment. I feel sad when kids stop believing in magic and the possibilities that exist in the invisible world. I’ll extend our adventures for as many years as I can. The gnome king likes his loot, so he’s not in a hurry to stop believing. 🙂 Thanks for the visit and Happy Writing!
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I love this…what a sweet story, I can see big eyes as the gnome king snuggles!
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The gnome king is very snuggly. But everytime he comes over, our first task is to hunt for treasure. 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed the poem, Kim. Thanks for stopping by. ❤
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I would want to, too!
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Fabulous story and lead up to the poem. I can’t help thinking you’re Grammy and were relating to Tornado boy lol 🙂 xx
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Absolutely right, Debby. Tornado Boy is also the gnome king. 🙂 I hope I have a few more years of his magic. Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. ❤
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What an inspiration, that little boy! ❤ x
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Haha, you must be the coolest ‘grammy’… but you really have salamanders around?? I truly thought they only existed in made-up fairy worlds… wait a minute… 🙂
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We really do have salamanders, Jess. Though we don’t see them often. Now guardian snails are everywhere! We only have one grandie, so when the magic ends… I’m taking advantage of it while I can. Thanks for the visit! 🙂
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See, even guardian snails sounds magical!
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Oh Diana! Such a lovely story! I was here with you and Tornado child 😉
It reminds me of a similar experience, though in the Fall, with school children on a field trip. We were on the hunt for dinosaur nests 😀
https://wordpress.com/post/dawnsnight.wordpress.com/1872
Maybe you remember… we’d had an exchange, around pictures of moss…
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Thanks, Dawn. It’s easy to get kids’ imaginations charged up, isn’t it? That’s so cool that you were hunting dinosaur nests. Ha ha. The link didn’t work, but that’s okay. I remember. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. 🙂
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Ok, I’ll go back to read it, but… thank you for expanding my vocabulary a little bit more tonight. I didn’t know what horsetail is. I looked it up. Now… I know exactly what it is 🙂
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I hope you found out that it’s a weird-looking plant. They’re all over around here (and sadly invasive). Thanks for the visit, Dawn. 🙂 Hope you’re doing well.
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I’m doing… today’s exam was less painful than I had anticipated.
I did find out exactly what plant horsetail is. I know it well. It’s everywhere around here too. Very good in baths when you have achy joints 😊
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🙂 That’s good to know! I’ll tell my achy husband. Lol!
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😊
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Thanks so much for sharing the poem. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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This is amazing Diana, I love this so much! xo
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Thanks, Holly. We have a lot of fun as the gnome king’s “minions.” Lol. It’s a riot. I’m glad you enjoyed the true story! ❤
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More than you know! ♥️😊
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I love it, Diana! Beautiful Haibun/Tanka. What a cute surprise at the end. The imagery is fantastic! ❤ xo
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Thanks so much, Vashti. We are eager to get out to the gnome tree as it’s finally finally warming up here. The treasure is waiting! Have a magical day. ❤
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I hope you are able to soon. Thank you. You have a great rest of the week. ❤
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Diana!! Your imagery is outstanding! I absolutely love this! (can you tell lol). ❤
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Thanks, Dorinda. This came to me in the middle of last night and I had to get up and write it down or else! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Happy Writing!
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I shared it to Facebook. I’m so glad you got up! lol ❤
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Thanks so much for sharing!! 🙂
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My pleasure!!
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Magic, imagination, dreams are all so important in the lives of both
grown ups and children. I love the story and the poem.
miriam
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Thanks, Miriam. I know that someday, the gnome king will discover that he’s not a gnome or a king, but for now, it’s a total hoot and we’re having fun. I appreciate the visit and comment. Have a magical day. ❤
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You’ve got some seriously lucky grandchildren in the making, D… whew! I’m in awe.
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Thank you, Violet. There’s only one, so he gets the magic treatment! We spend half a day preparing for his visits, knowing that someday it will end and we’ll move on to tree forts and fishing. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. 🙂
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Magical storytelling. What a precious gift to offer your grandson, more valuable than the other jewels you might unearth at the base of the gnome tree 🙂
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Thanks, Amanda. The rainbow gems are highly prized as are magic artifacts. Fortunately the gnome king hasn’t figured out that the same ones get reburied over and over again. 😀 I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. Have a magical day!
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Dreaming is free…(K)
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And so is imagination and creativity. 🙂 I love that little kids believe in dragons, gnomes and treasure. I do too apparently. Thanks for the visit!
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We all do deep inside.
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Oh, I love this! It brings back fond memories of a silly faerie story I once read on stage and had published in a literary journal, except she was calling Fall to come. 🙂 Great job – so fun!
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This is so imaginative and creative, Diana. Very enjoyable.
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Thanks, Robbie. We arrange our weekends around the gnome king and our springtime return to the Dragon Wood is quite an adventure. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. ❤
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Loved it all- especially the ending! Grandma hasn’t forgotten her imagination 🙂
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Grandma still believes in magic. 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Jacquie. Thank you!
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Reblogged this on Jacquie Biggar-USA Today Best-selling author and commented:
A fantastic voyage into the imagination with D. Wallace Peach!
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Thanks so much for sharing, Jacquie. What a lovely surprise. I’m glad you enjoyed my true story! Ha ha. Happy Writing, my friend.
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I loved this piece!
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Superb! Thoroughly enjoy reading it!❤️🤗
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Thank you, Sonia. When the gnome king comes to visit, Grammy is very busy! I want a few more years of dragon hunting before we move on to tree forts. 🙂 Happy Writing, my friend.
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🤗🤗💟
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Hope you and the Gnome King continue your adventures, Diana – adorable!
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We are so into it, Teri. Before he comes over for a visit, we have to stock the tree with treasure, among other preparations. 🙂 It’s a blast. Thanks for the visit, and have an awesome day!
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Thanks Diana. A wonderful introduction to Spring. You are blessed with a creative imagination. You are an eloquent grammy in your story telling.
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Thank you, Len. The gnome king and I have a great time tromping about in the woods hunting for baby dragons. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. 🙂
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Sweet and creative as ever. I want to meet the gnome king!
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Ha ha. Thanks, Jina. The gnome king is turning six in a few months. I’m hoping and praying that our adventures will continue unabated for a few years, though I know they’ll change. Too much fun. 🙂
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He’s a lucky kid. And change doesn’t = stop.
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Wow. I bow to you and the Gnome king! Fun story and great tanka Diana.
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All true, Brad. The gnome king and I will continue our adventures as long as he believes. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by to read. ❤
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It’s wonderful that you two can share the fun of play and imagination. 🙂
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That is adorable! I love it!!
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It’s a true tale, Mae. Our woods is full of magic. Thanks so much for visiting and Happy Writing!
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Wow, Love it! Your writing conjures up beautiful imagery.
And in keeping with using synonyms for Spring… Here’s to a feast of blossom in your garden! 😀
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Thank you, Khaya. I’m so glad you enjoyed the glimpse into the Dragon Wood. Happy Spring to you as well, my friend. ❤
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Aww, this is a sweet tribute to spring and young people’s imaginations. And such lyrical language!
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Thank you, Priscilla. This is my life on weekends when the Gnome King visits. I’m hanging on to that imagination as long as I can. 🙂 Happy Writing!
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Beautiful piece!
“An orange salamander gazes up” What an unbelievable imagine.
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A true story too. We don’t have too many salamanders here, but sometimes… I’m glad you enjoyed the story. Pretty soon the gnome king will grow out of our adventures, but for now, we are game. Happy Writing!
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I really enjoy your pieces. They are beautiful.
Happy Writing to you too!
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