The sad monarch

Haiku of the powerful and the small

Sad monarch Herod

like his father before him,

achieved infamy.

Pathetic ruler

easy to manipulate,

a slave to his lusts.

John the baptiser

never could keep his mouth shut,

incurred royal wrath.

Herod’s vengeful wife,

Herodias, took offence

at his denouncements.

Cast into prison,

John was forced to bide his time.

Herod still feared him.

The stepdaughter danced

at Herod’s party. Sexy;

the men all lusted.

Whatever you want,

the king had said. Then give me

the Baptiser’s head.

The king grieves deeply,

not foreseeing this outcome,

but he has been caught.

A bloody triumph

on a platter. She, in turn,

gives it to mother.

John’s disciples hear,

and come to claim his body;

bury him with love.

© Ken Rookes 2018