…blossoming. Will it be in full bloom by Christmas?

a crust of bread

jumps with the sparrows

round the courtyard

—Dina Franin

awakened

as ice bursts

the water jar—

— Basho

a bitter morning:

sparrows sitting together

without any necks

—J. W. Hackett

in the silence

after snow

a wren’s faint chirp

— Rich Krivcher