winner

Hi. I've just returned from vacation to learn that this haiku took first place in the monthly Shiki kukai for February. A kukai, for the uninitiated, is a competition in which entries must conform to set guidelines. In this case, the required kigo (nature word or phrase) was "early thaw."

early thaw—

the earth tugging

at my footsteps

one for today

discovering

we've given each other

the same valentine

my shadow

my shadow

making a spectacle

of myself

I'll be taking a break for a couple of weeks. Stay well, my friends.

cloudless

cloudless sky

three seagulls rise

from a snowy roof

midnight

midnight

turning

a page

groundhog day (2006)

groundhog day

trying not to think

of spring

blink

midwinter

blink of a jet

between stars