"The Ballad of Reading Gaol" is a poem written by Oscar Wilde after his imprisonment in Reading Gaol for "gross indecency." The poem reflects on the harsh realities of prison life and the suffering of inmates, particularly focusing on the execution of a fellow prisoner. Wilde uses vivid imagery and emotional language to convey themes of justice, punishment, and the human condition. The poem critiques the penal system and explores the moral implications of capital punishment, ultimately revealing the deep empathy Wilde felt for those who endure such fates.