end of winter...

The first yellow crocus and dark purple irises
huddle together precariously in the
still-arctic breeze

Above them the delicate creamy-white hellebores
dance bravely

Up-startled
into tree-flight,
the chattering green woodpecker
yaffles to its neighbours
a warning of our arrival

smallstone

Silver-white birch stems
ghostly against the blue-grey
February canvas

eleven words

I love the eleven-word structure of the 'elfje', but I'm aware I play fast and loose with the classic concept. So if I'm causing any headaches, happy to call it by any other name!

As suggested, a smallstone for my son:

Carried
by grace
beneath my heart,
child of my soul -
Poet!

spring-cleaning elfje

Grime
and doghair
all removed, now
time to polish my
halo!

Cambridge haiku

The drunken bike leers
wolfishly at me from the
post it's leaning on

elfje for the 21st century

There's
a rumour
a little humour
will save the day
LOL !