A reader’s poem: Oscar

Oscar

Oh! In October’s autumn month
When leaves fall to the ground
You came into this world unknown
But soon your fame was found,

That pen which wrote with wicked wit
That humour only yours
Oh! How you shocked them with your views
Those narrow minded bores!

Such names as yours are seldom heard
Such treasures ever known
Your work to live for evermore
Although your life has flown

But in that age of ignorance
You found yourself condemned
They filled your life with bitter pain
Which brought you to your end.

Your silent crying no-one heard
You pleaded though in vain
Your soul cried out without a word
Your poor heart filled with pain.

Oh! How those days so long ago
They didn’t understand
Condemning those that weren’t the same
And Salome was banned

But many loved you none the less
And praised your gentle ways
They followed you uptil your end
Those hard and saddened days.

You died Sebastian Melmoth
Though Oscar was your name
That man of notoriety
Which brought you so much fame

And though your voice calls out no more
And all the years have passed
We shall forever read your verse
Your soul to ever last.

by Sherifa Rashidally

Oscar Wilde 1854 – 1900

Rupert Everett plays Oscar Wilde in The Judas Kiss at the Theatre Royal Brighton next month. Read more