We recently heard of sightings
in a nearby Nottingham wood.
(As far as we ascertain
there is no link to Robin Hood
and no clear reference to Folk Lore
though we will investigate more).

A family out on a picnic,
wandered deep into the forest
to a pleasant clearing
beside a flooded stream,
where they came upon a scene
reminiscent of Arden
and Shakespeare’s Midsummer Dream.

This is what they found;
upon a grassy mound
small figures in pointed hats,
entirely dressed in green,
were prancing hand in hand,
spinning around in a circle,
their feet just above the ground.
Their faces were not clearly seen.
There is no report of wings.
The light was reported as hazy,
and the turf described as soft.
A small king stood at the centre
holding a lamp aloft.

The family stood in shock,
rooted to the spot,
and watched him as he sauntered
to a sturdy leaf of dock
where he sat in dignified leisure
and, possibly over-heated,
fanned himself quite a lot
with an unidentified leaf.

To be brief;
A gentleman of the party
moved for a closer look
but failed to stifle a cough.
(The local pollen count was high.
I don’t claim fairy dust).
The small creatures all ran off
at incredible speed.
The family looked about for a time,
searching the nearby weeds
which had sprung up all around
but no sign of the small folk was found.

Our colleague, Marjorie Johnson,
having studied the correspondence,
found one further eyes witness
who claimed to have seen the same elves
about a decade before.
There is more.
This witness on many occasions
saw leaves and varied twigs,
laid out in a curious fashion,
beneath an ancient Ash.

Marjorie made the decision
to visit the site herself
(as she frequently does).
She left in the middle of May.
She has not returned to date.
We informed the local police
who conducted a thorough search,
finding her camera and glove.
Please advise. Don’t delay.
We must avert a scandal.
We need a Press Release.

Please note:
We found a long lost manuscript
from the early Tudor era
stating that, in this forest,
frequently over the years
as the month of June drew nearer,
people had disappeared.
We cannot continue to hope.