A Poem for a Thursday #171

Oscar Wilde was a poet, playwright, novelist, critic, and lecturer. Many people are familiar, at least to some extent, with such works as The Importance of Being Earnest and The Picture of Dorian Gray. His work is described as “witty, imaginative, and undeniably beautiful.” Wilde died at the age of 46 in 1900 after having been released from prison in 1897. He had been convicted of gross indecency for consensual homosexual acts. He is remembered now as much for his exuberant personality and wit as for his contributions to English literature.

The Thames nocturne of blue and gold
Changed to a Harmony in grey:
A barge with ochre-coloured hay
Dropt from the wharf: and chill and cold

The yellow fog came creeping down
The bridges, till the houses' walls
Seemed changed to shadows, and St. Paul's 
Loomed like a bubble o'er the town.

Then suddenly arose the clang
Of waking life; the streets were stirred
With country waggons: and a bird
Flew to the glistening roofs and sang.

But one pale woman all alone,
The daylight kissing her wan hair,
Loitered beneath the gas lamps' flare,
With lips of flame and heart of stone.

Impression Du Matin
Oscar Wilde

Brona has shared a poem today too.