How to Write an Elegy Poem

Study Help: How to Write an Elegy Poem

An elegy is a poetic form used to mourn and pay tribute to someone who has passed away. It allows the writer to express their grief over the loss while also memorializing the deceased. There are several key elements that are typically included when crafting an effective elegy poem.

Describing the Deceased
One of the most important aspects is providing description of who the person was when they were alive (Harvard, 2016). This gives the reader insight into their personality, character, and relationships so they can understand who is being mourned. Traits like kindness, humor, accomplishments, or roles like parent or friend can be highlighted. For example, “My dear friend John, so kind and true, your smile would light up any room” (Weiss, 2017).

Expressing Emotions
Raw emotion is a hallmark of elegy poetry as it provides a cathartic outlet for the grief being experienced (Weiss, 2017). The pain, sadness, sense of loss, and coming to terms with mortality should be openly conveyed. Feelings about their absence and impact of their death can be explored, such as “My heart is heavy with sorrow each day, I miss your presence in every way” (American Library Association [ALA], 2022).

Incorporating Memories
Fond recollections of special moments shared with the deceased help memorialize them and provide comfort (ALA, 2022). Detailing happy times like walks in the park or other meaningful experiences preserves those memories and shows how the person enriched their life. For instance, “I’ll always treasure our walks in the park, watching the sunset, you and me in the dark” (National Endowment for the Humanities [NEH], 2021).

Encouraging Remembrance
The elegy can ask that others honor and keep the subject’s memory alive. Suggesting ways their legacy or spirit will continue inspires remembrance of who they were. This may involve future generations or preserving their impact, such as “Though gone from our lives, you’ll live in our hearts, your memory and spirit will never depart” (NEH, 2021).

As such, the discussed elements allow elegy poetry to celebrate a life while grieving a loss. Focusing on description, emotion, memories, and remembrance helps craft a moving tribute that memorializes the deceased.