TOWN AND COUNTRY OSCAR WILDE

He could talk for Ireland,
conversation flowing like champagne,
Perrier Jouet 1889.

When it comes to Oscar Wilde
and his fairy tales, I could surely
read for Ireland all night.

Essays, stories, the plays, epistles;
he was a rare bird like the Pink Robin
or the Wattled Ploughbill.

But he was not an ideal husband,
I have to say; it was always
The Importance of being Oscar

A peacock fanning his feathers,
that's self-cultivation, sophisticated
townie ways.

I think of your devoted Hans
working all day in his garden
growing marrows and mangelwurzels

face beetroot red, rubber boots,
on his muddy feet. No champagne
on tap, but plenty of real ale

and big Hugh the Miller,
going to give his old wheelbarrow,
how cool is that? - cucumber, sir.