Selected Poems of Oscar Wilde

This volume gathers a handful of Oscar Wilde’s earliest poems alongside his most celebrated longer work, the haunting “Ballad of Reading Gaol.” The early verses, penned when he was just twenty‑seven, reveal a youthful wit and a keen eye for beauty, while the later piece confronts mortality and remorse with striking lyrical power. Listeners can hear the contrast between the light, ornamental style of his beginnings and the sobering, resonant voice that emerged after his personal trials.

The selection is arranged for easy listening, with the “Ballad” presented in both its full length and a shorter version suited to public recitation. Wilde’s rhythmic mastery and vivid imagery come alive through narration, inviting you to linger on his elegant turns of phrase and the melancholy undercurrents that run through his work. Whether you’re new to his poetry or revisiting a favorite, this collection offers a concise yet immersive taste of his poetic evolution.