The following was written as an assignment for a course called Creative Writing for Social Media.
Wilde with balloon, by Terry Freedman. The illustration was taken from the British Library collection on Flickr, and was described as having no known copyright restrictions.
Superficially, he wrote in maxims.
“Look at me! Aren’t I clever?”
Cleverness cloys, clangs in your head.
But examine the lines more closely.
Feel the balance, the setting up,
the surprise conclusion.
Note the alliteration, tongue-tripping,
Admire the soft wisdom encased in that
oh-so-clever exterior.