Poem 8 — 100 Days of Poetry
About the Poem:
Hélas is one of Oscar Wilde’s most introspective sonnets, in which he reflects on the inner conflict between indulgence in passion and the wisdom of self-control. Wilde's beautifully crafted lines express regret for the impulsive choices that seem to have diverted him from a higher purpose.
Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) is known for his sharp wit and elegant prose, but Hélas offers a deeper, more philosophical look at the costs of following fleeting desires.
Hélas — Oscar Wilde
To drift with every passion till my soul
Is a stringed lute on which can winds can play,
Is it for this that I have given away
Mine ancient wisdom and austere control?
Methinks my life is a twice-written scroll
Scrawled over on some boyish holiday
With idle songs for pipe and virelay,
Which do but mar the secret of the whole.
Surely there was a time I might have trod
The sunlit heights, and from life's dissonance
Struck one clear chord to reach the ears of God:
Is that time dead? lo! with a little rod
I did but touch the honey of romance -
And must I lose a soul's inheritance?
My Reflections on the Poem:
Recording Hélas was particularly meaningful, as it’s one of my favorite sonnets by Wilde. The tension between passion and discipline, and the regret that follows, makes this poem resonate on a very personal level.
This post is part of my 100 Days of Poetry series, where I embarked on a journey to record and share 100 poems over 100 days in 2017. Although the series was interrupted, I’m delighted to continue sharing these timeless works with you.
