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Poems about Loneliness and Solitude

Poetry offers solace for the lonely and a positive perspective on being alone.
Photograph of a person walking on the beach
Tom Jolliffe, courtesy of the Geograph project

In the book Journal of a Solitude, the poet May Sarton once wrote that “Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is richness of self.” Poetry’s relationship to solitude is paradoxical: while many poets savor the isolation needed to write their best work, the finished product will ideally create connection, or even community.

CELEBRATING SOLITUDE
WALLOWING IN LONELINESS
BEING ALONE IN A CROWD
PODCASTS