Poems that convey relief often depict a release from tension, fear, or uncertainty. They can describe moments of realization, acceptance, or escape from a troubling situation.
‘After the Storm,’ a poem by William Wordsworth, paints a peaceful scene following a violent tempest, symbolizing relief and renewal. The language in these poems tends to be calming and soothing, often employing natural imagery to reflect a sense of tranquility.
Readers may find solace in these lines, as they mirror the universal experience of finding calm after a storm, providing comfort and a sense of peace.
Within ‘Sick’ Shel Silverstein crafts a humorous story of one child’s attempts to stay home from school. The poem explores the themes of deceit, obligations, and joy.
A sigh of relief is seen in Peggy when she realizes that she did not have to go through all the trouble of trying to avoid school because it was a Saturday. This change from the long list of her ills to the plain fact is quite funny. The relief is because she finally understands that all her attempts to create drama were in vain, which gives her story a nice ending.
‘A Dead Rose’ mourns the short-lived nature of beauty, with vivid imagery and poignant emotions.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning's poem 'A Dead Rose' evokes the emotion of relief through the speaker's portrayal of the rose's faded state. The description of the rose as pale, hard, and dry suggests a release from the burden of blooming and maintaining its former glory. The poem implies that the rose's transformation brings an end to its struggle, providing a sense of relief from the expectations and pressures associated with beauty and life's transience.
O Rose! who dares to name thee?
No longer roseate now, nor soft, nor sweet;
But pale, and hard, and dry, as stubble-wheat,—-
Kept seven years in a drawer—-thy titles shame thee.
‘Peace, Blessed Peace’ by Edward Dyson brings humor and horror together, highlighting soldiers’ resilience in the face of relentless war.
Moments of relief shine through the soldiers’ humor and camaraderie, offering a contrast to the chaos surrounding them. Trigger’s exclamation, “Thank Gord… a bit of peace!” underscores the fleeting nature of such moments, making them all the more poignant against the backdrop of relentless conflict.
‘Woman Work’ by Maya Angelou is a poem that celebrates women’s strength. It uses natural imagery to speak on this topic and various others.
Relief is what one feels when the mundane list of chores is replaced with a call to nature in the poem. The sunshine, the rain, and the wind that the woman was subjected to when she was pregnant helped her to let off some steam from the pregnancy travail. One can sense her need to run away from all the work she is doing and the interaction with nature is a much-needed break.
‘Thanks’ describes the tiny permutations that can dictate whether a person lives or dies to reflect on the true nature of luck and choice.
Above all, the poem's dominant emotion is one of utter relief that the speaker has survived, not just the bullet but countless other moments that might have been very different were it not for their good fortune. One cannot help but read the poem and think of those who were, by default, less lucky in similar circumstances.
‘The Distances’ by Charles Olsen present a complex, haunting meditation on the darker sides of love.
This poem contains a good deal of intensity. Death and its horror are openly evoked, depravities are committed in the name of love, and journeys are undertaken to the center of the earth… There is no doubt, then, that after all these vicissitudes, the beautifully phrased lysis provided by the Goddess’s ex machina intercession on behalf of the afflicted lover(s) produces in the reader a welcome feeling of relief!
PB Shelley’s ‘Stanzas Written in Dejection, near Naples’ describes the speaker’s dejection and how nature soothes his mood.
The speaker could release his pain amidst nature's embrace, akin to a tired child crying out his sorrows. He finds relief in the natural world, acknowledging nature's soothing effect, likening the calming presence of wind and waves to a balm for despair. The imagery of the gentle wind and waves softening the intensity of sorrow makes the emotion of relief palpable.
‘Clearances’ forms part of a series of sonnets in which Heaney examines his relationship with his mother, and focuses on her death.
Although the poem centers on death, it carries a sense of emotional relief by the end. The speaker and his siblings find peace after witnessing the father's final words to their mother. This moment of connection helps them understand the strength of their parents' relationship. That understanding brings comfort and eases the weight of their sorrow. It allows them to mourn without confusion or regret, offering them a sense of calm after a difficult moment.
‘On A Journey’ by Hermann Hesse is a poem that seeks to provide both comfort and solace to those who find themselves demoralized by life’s journeys.
An emotion that the poem inspires is a sense of relief. The presence of that emotion stems from the speaker's many reassurances that they will soon have an opportunity to rest "hand in hand." This feeling is also made all the more consoling because of the speaker's empathy and devotion to their companion.
‘Remember Remember the 5th of November’ is a commemorative poem that celebrates the capture and execution of Guy Fawkes. It is recited on Guy Fawkes day, celebrated on November the 5th.
The poem expresses a deep sense of relief that the king’s life was saved, and the government was protected from a violent plot. This feeling is shown through the celebratory lines and the joyful remembrance of the event’s outcome. The relief felt by people after the threat was removed is reflected in the ongoing celebrations, with bonfires and gatherings symbolizing the comfort of knowing disaster was avoided.
Hugo’s ‘Sunset’ uses the sunset as a symbol to explore the grim truth of human mortality, soothed by observing nature’s cyclic beauty.
A sense of relief unloads itself at the poem's end when the speaker imagines their eventual death. Instead of fearing it, they find a kind of silver lining in the knowledge that all creation will still exist even though it no longer will. It's almost ironic that the speaker finds so much relief in being "unmissed" by the world. But the sentiment is rooted in Hugo's egoless spirit.
The sun set this evening in masses of cloud,
The storm comes to-morrow, then calm be the night,
Then the Dawn in her chariot refulgent and proud,
Then more nights, and still days, steps of Time in his flight.
‘June’ paints a picture of nature’s raw beauty, discomfort, and unpredictable rhythm. The hum of insects, the distant thunder, and the comforting yet unsettling sounds invite readers to reflect on those fleeting, often overlooked moments of summer evenings.
Even with the tension of the approaching storm, the poem also carries a sense of relief. The steady sounds of insects and the familiar rhythm of nature create a calming effect. When the storm finally arrives, it doesn’t feel like destruction but more like a release, as if nature is letting go of built-up pressure, bringing a fresh start and a quiet sense of renewal.
The June bug on the screen door whirs like a small, ugly machine,
‘Lullaby’ portrays a mother’s role in easing loved ones into sleep or death, presenting death as a liberation into freedom, a departure from earthly constraints.
Relief is present in the poem, especially in the idea that lullabies comfort the living and dying, suggesting a release from fear and anxiety. The poem implies that death can bring relief from the struggles and complexities of life, offering a sense of peace and freedom.
My mother's an expert in one thing:
sending people she loves into the other world.
The little ones, the babies--these
she rocks, whispering or singing quietly. I can't say
‘Theories of Time and Space’ by Natasha Trethewey navigates a journey of displacement and memory, urging readers to embrace change.
The emotion of relief is evoked through the speaker's reflections on memory and displacement. The act of traveling along Mississippi Highway 49 and experiencing new landscapes may evoke a sense of release and liberation, as readers embrace the freedom and renewal that comes with change. Additionally, the shifting landscapes and fragmented imagery may symbolize the lifting of burdens and the restoration of hope, eliciting feelings of relief and comfort.
‘To Autumn’ stands as one of Keats’ most image-rich and skillful odes, offering a sumptuous description of the fall season.
There is a feeling of relief in the way autumn is described. The hard work of growing is done, the fruit is full, and the bees are at rest. It feels like a pause after effort, a moment to breathe. Keats does not show tension or pressure in this poem. Instead, he offers scenes that feel restful and calm. The poem gives the sense that it is alright to stop for a while and simply be.
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
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