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How to Write an Elegy Poem

Though death and dying tend to be dark subjects, they can be wonderful themes for poetry. An elegy is a type of poem in which the author meditates on death. Traditional elegies lament the death of a loved one, a public figure, or a tragic accident befalling a group of people. Contemporary poetry, however, does not restrict the elegiac form to any one topic. Poems written about numerous subjects, such as the falling of leaves, are considered elegies as long as the tone remains somber. Elegies originated from ancient Greek poetry and adhered to a set pattern, but modern elegies do not need to meet any specific structural guidelines. Writing an elegy takes some creative energy, but not a lot else.

Instructions

    • 1

      Familiarize yourself with poetry basics. A strong knowledge of poetic devices such as rhyme, rhythm, alliteration, and onomatopoeia will strengthen your command of language and enable you to write a concise, moving elegy.

    • 2

      Write down a list of people you have admired in your life. This list can include historical figures, relatives, or friends. If you don't wish to write about a person, make a list of places that no longer exist or past events. For example, a person may choose to write an elegy of childhood, mourning the events that as an adult they can no longer revisit.

    • 3

      Choose a tone for your poem. Create a list of words, feelings, or images that express your elegiac theme. If your theme is depression, write down words than invoke that feeling, such as "solitude," "melancholic," and "darkness." If you choose to write about a person, think of words that are suggestive of your feelings towards them. An elegy should be somber and mournful, but can also honor and venerate the deceased.

    • 4

      Elegies do not have to follow a metrical archetype or rhyme scheme. Familiarize yourself with different poetic forms. Free verse does not adhere to a metric pattern or rhyme scheme, allowing the author nonrestrictive creativity. Rhymed couplets, quatrains, and verses contain certain words or phrases that sound alike. Experiment with different forms before choosing one best suited to the elegy you wish to write.

    • 5

      Write several drafts of your poem. Choose the draft that most accurately represents your subject, tone, and form. Ask someone to proofread your piece for grammatical or thematic inconsistencies.

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