Oscar Wilde Tanka
Very hard labor.
Two years in all the worst jails,
hours on a treadmill,
a plank bed with no mattress.
Then they took away his books.
26 thoughts on "Oscar Wilde Tanka"
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Very hard labor.
Two years in all the worst jails,
hours on a treadmill,
a plank bed with no mattress.
Then they took away his books.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I love how you use this form–it leaves me with that foreboding sense and empathy.
Thanks, Shaun!
Not the books! Ouch.
I know, right? They knew how to hurt him in the worst way.
the books
The last Line makes this poem. All the other tribulations, Wilde could endure, but take away his books? Like siphoning his blood. Great job.
Thanks, Lee. This poem, btw, was inspired by a video I saw on this subject. Who says you don’t learn things by scrolling the Internet?
Beautiful and masterful tribute to Wilde.
Thanks, Jay. Those glasses you’re wearing in your profile image are badass, btw. You’re giving me Schwartzenegger vibes. 😏
i’m sure even then-
he still had something very
sassy-ish to say!
Apparently the jail really did break his spirit. According to people who visited him in Paris when he got out of jail, he didn’t have the same Wildean spark afterwards. Plus his health was shot. He didn’t live long.
This really touched the poets heart!
Thanks Linda!
Very nice, Kevin – the ending is a smacker!
Thanks Nancy! A smacker—I’m gonna steal that!
The hortor of that last line!
Thanks for commenting, Tom. It sure must have been a living hell for poor Oscar.
Effective, devastating. (But now I’m inspired to try another form!)
Go for it! I feel like I’m a bit haikued out lately. Those extra two lines give you some extra breathing room that makes a big difference.
crushing!
Yes. Thanks, Eric.
Wonderfully understated!
Thanks, Wayne!
Love the last line- the worst of all pains!
Agree with so many of my colleagues here: the books! but the curtains can go!
That ending. Yes, too much.