Dean Okamura

Eugene Delacroix, The Death of Sardanapalus (1827)

His Foolishness King Sardanapalus

   

The story of Sardanapalus, 

last king of Nineveh, 

is a tragic tale. 

His life of sensual sloth 

led to wickedness of luxury. 

His kingdom under attack, 

he orders destruction of 

his prized possessions. 

Soldiers burned 

and massacred 

his concubines, 

his horses, and 

his slaves. 

These were his. 

His alone. 

Now alone, 

he died. 

"Sweet hour of sleep" (2022) 

she takes her last breaths

   

she takes her last breaths 

we wonder how it happened 

favorite things lost 

so much rejected in haste 

she should've eaten more sweets 

"Spiraling out of control" (2022)

Spiraling out of control

   

Can haiku exist 

apart from actual experiences 

be a genuine response? 

Must nature 

stir the spirits of poets to 

resonate in readers? 

Without explanations 

context 

outside established seasons. 

Pundits argue 

for one standard practice 

tight rules of haiku. 

Politicians fight partisan 

battles. 

They serve the whims of their gods. 

Hand-picked poets 

repeat the alternate verses 

of their faction. 

It is the last hour. 

Spiraling out of control this world must end with fire.