Widow picks seashells
She’s in harmony with them
They are both hollow
Their empty homes bare
Bereft of life and substance
Spirit washed away
Observers look on
Awed by her beauty and grace
Pearl of the oyster
Widow takes her shells
She grinds them to make poison
Pure impurity
Supine on soft sand
Smiling in true happiness
Lifts her conch and drinks
Seashells on her beach
Wail as wind swirls through each one
Tide erases all
Fugitive Fragments 
Powerful even in brevity.
Thanks b4, glad that you engaged with this little piece.
You’re welcome. Loved it, for sure!
I know this is sad and yet it is so beautiful…love series in haiku that tells a deep story.
Thanks C-L, from your work I’m aware that you are practiced and adept at short-form series.
Well not adept …still learning, but thank you.
This is so haunting…..soft poison…..and I love haiku written in groups like this 🙂
So pleased that you enjoyed this little series Ms Mac. Thank you for reading and feedback.
amazing!
So glad you judged it so – many thanks.
Lovely set of haikus, Mike.
Hauntingly beautiful and succinctly written.
The earnest and eloquent response of a true poet – thanks DVH
Loved this series of haikus, sad and powerful.
Thanks Tiny, I’m pleased to hear those two descriptive words – you got it.
Not often does one read flash fiction written in poetic haiku. I learned a new form of expression today, Mike.
Thank you and all good wishes,
Eric
You read it with eyes more perspicuous than the poet because I never saw that angle – thanks Eric.
Hey Mike, just want to say thanks for coming back. I really like the way you make a poem out of individual haiku’s.
Alex
The haiku series is increasingly popular Pndrgn but does not conform to convention. I don’t know of any Japanese examples but it is accepted in English haiku. Thanks for your time and thought.
Another wonderful haiku series. I especially liked the hollow ring of the first!
Yes, empty vessels make the most noise! Thanks RT.
Nice string of sounds. I like the metaphors and their both being hollow. Very well done, M.
You have read this with eyes and ears HW. Please know that I acknowledge and appreciate your time and perspective – Mike
Reblogged this on Drabarni's Drom Romani and commented:
A splendid poem from http://michaelmcguire.com.au/2014/04/26/seashell-haiku-%E3%82%B7%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B7%E3%82%A7%E3%83%AB%E4%BF%B3%E5%8F%A5/
It’s a wonderful honour to be reblogged Clarissa – thank you for this welcome exposure.
sadness and emptiness all around. your words give life to the lady and those sea shells. lovely…
Hi NL – I greatly appreciate this lovely compliment. Thanks for reading and interpreting – Mike
I see alot of happiness in emptiness, peace in chaos, beauty in pain. Who says poison is bad? I wish the tide has taken her home… Love it, Mike!
Thanks Vera and yes, perspective alters everything.
You have captured a real sense of solitude, acceptance and resignation in this poem, Mike. Though melancholy to read, beautifully written.
Yes, that very clash you describe is exactly what I was after here. In fact it has since occurred to me that the ghost of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly might have landed on my shoulder. Thanks again Angela.
What an awesome sad poem.. I really like the way to construct a poem.
Thanks Björn I’m pleased that this worked for you.
Beautiful contruction, Mike, for such a sad poem. They’re the best though, aren’t they?
Thanks Jane and yes, there’s something about the ones that strain the heartstrings a bit.
We have kindred interests 🙂
Enjoyed your haiku and thinking about the beach.
I am delighted that there few lines could transport you so – thank you for your kind words.
I love poems about seashells and the sea. I grew up near the ocean, and I miss it. This is sad, but the imagery is wonderful. I never thought before about a shell being hollow and empty. But you made it obvious.
“I saw no one,” he said. “That is what you may expect to see if I follow you.” — Sherlock Holmes
Thank you for your support and for following me! — M. Vernet
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I’m pleased that this piece resonated with you personally and appreciate your insightful thoughts. Many thanks.
Hi Mike, happy Sunday. Just skiving by to tell you that I’ve nominated you for a big four award which, should you choose to accept, you can collect and nominate your own blogs of love. Check out the nomination here (scroll down the page):
http://12degreesandskiving.com/2014/04/27/
thank you for posting that which seriously stirs the soul. Your poetry is really is amazing (sorry for the lacklustre ‘amazing’ but we’re coming to the close of NaPoWriMo and I’ve used up my thesaurus). You have a unique and distinct voice and now you’ve inspired me to write haiku 😉
~Ali~
It is absolutely delightful to selected for this quadruple recognition Ali. Your words of commendation are encouraging and very welcome. Thank you so much and I wish you well on your haiku journey.
A pleasure – thank you! 🙂
So few words yet so touching 🙂
Thanks Claudie, my mother used to say that the best things came in small packages so thanks for the nod.
A lovely extended Haiku, Mike, engaging, poignant and haunting.
Very kind comment – thanks for reading and glad you enjoyed.
Mike, there was a NYTimes haiku competition and it might still be going on. Do you know of it? You should enter as yours are quite brilliant. Why not share the magic?
This is very thoughtful of you Jackie – it’s “closed to future submissions” but I did find what appears to be their bottomless page of haiku which is more than enough consolation for me. I consider your suggestion as a high endorsement of my work and am sincerely grateful to you.
An excellent haiku sequence, Mike! Breathtakingly beautiful.
Ron
Praise indeed from the haiku Master. Your discernment is particularly pleasing Ron – thank you so much.
Absolutely beautiful dear Mike, the last stanza ruled it… Very well penned and highly evokative, as per usual.
Best wishes, Aquileana 😛
The letters of the alphabet are insufficient for me to express my gratitude for such credit Aquileana but you have my humble gratitude for this valued approbation.
Michael, Michael, Michael….
Wonderful. Lovely. I feel her.
Huge thanks Audrey for this salute and particularly memorable commendation.
Lovely write, I liked it!
Thank you Oloriel for this lovely compliment, I’m delighted with your appreciation.
This reminds me of Mizoguchi’s films – beautifully crafted but dark. An excellent work.
High honour indeed – thank you Mark, greatly appreciated.
I think it’s been too long Mike – or perhaps I’ve not been walking the right beaches – really enjoyed this post.
Chris.
Good to hear from you Chris and thank you for this appreciation.
Cheers Mike, just in after a few pints of the black stuff and a ballad session, all well on your side of the pond I hope.
Chris.
Wonderful post. Quite beautiful, Mike.
Thank you reading and leaving such a kind compliment luixe
spirit washed away by life, body washed away by nature
Good perspective B – thank you for reading and commenting.
Absolutely love this
and it’s very kind of you to say so M – many thanks.
beautiful Mike, the thoughts, the image, perfect!
Lovely of you to say so H – my sincere thanks
Lovely!
And it’s lovely of you to say so Brenna – my sincere thanks.
You are very welcome. I enjoy reading your poetry.
Excellent. I had not heard of this method of poetic expression. Thank you for teaching me something. Peace. ~ Michael
You’re welcome Michael – what’s wonderful that we’re all learning from each other here. Thanks for your kind comment.
Agreed. You’re welcome.
Much appreciated sir. Thank you.
beautiful