MAGPIE

by contemplativeinquiry

A single magpie

On a seagull’s vacant lamppost

No sorrow as yet

Recently I was surprised to see a magpie sitting on a  nearby lamppost. There is a hierarchy in the neighbourhood that awards this lamppost to seagulls.  Clearly, the magpie did not know it’s place. Cheeky and cheerful, it dared defiantly to land and make itself at home. Bright eyed, it shamelessly enjoyed itself.

I turned my attention away and I do not know of any repercussions. The last line of the haiku references the a traditional rhyme about seeing magpies.

One for sorrow

Two for joy

Three for a girl

Four for a boy

Five for silver

Six for gold

Seven for a secret

never to be told.

Now, the magpie is long gone. As far as I can tell, we have both benefited from the pleasure of the encounter.