Poetry has ran the gamut of human emotions throughout its long history – but very few get the spotlight like sadness. So why do poets seem so set on exploring this most upsetting of emotions, and why are we as readers drawn to their expressions of grief, melancholy and hopelessness?
Why do we seek out stories of rejection and lost love? Why do we seem so bent on becoming embroiled in the dismay of others, or learning of the lethargic sadness that comes with depression – even when we seek out happiness and contentment in our own lives?
Perhaps it’s because poems about sadness let us know that we’re not alone at times when grief comes knocking at the door. Or perhaps it’s because they can serve as expressions of our own misery when we can’t articulate it ourselves. And then they provide catharsis, as they help to contextualise feelings of sadness as a natural part of human experience. In doing so, perhaps they can help us to move on.
In our collection below, you’ll find some of the best sadness poems ever written, exploring this complex emotion in its many different expressions. We hope that their words serve as a guide, helping you to navigate your own thoughts and feelings towards something more hopeful.
