Poems that express stress often delve into the pressures and anxieties of modern life. They may depict the burden of overwhelming responsibilities, the tension of unmet expectations, or the strain of personal or professional relationships.
T.S. Eliot’s ‘The Waste Land‘ is an example that captures the disjointed, fragmented nature of a stressed existence. The language in such poems can be erratic and urgent, filled with sharp turns and dissonant sounds that mimic the chaotic nature of stress.
Shakespeare’s ‘Sonnet 14’ ‘Not from the stars do I my judgment pluck,’ prophesies the end of the fair youth’s truth and beauty if they don’t procreate.
The poem's tension is rooted in the addressee's indecisiveness and the speaker's fear. The speaker's stress becomes evident in the last few lines, changing the tone of the entire poem as it ends with dramatic, foreboding lines, 'Or else of thee this I prognosticate/Thy end is truth's and beauty's doom and date,' as if warning the addressee in a grave, firm, and urgent tone. The lines also sound emotionally charged, as if carrying the speaker's frustration and the burden of ensuring the propagation of truth and beauty, while the addressee lacks the sense of responsibility that the speaker expects him to feel.
Robert Frost’s ‘The Road Not Taken’ explores life’s choices, opportunities, and the ensuing lingering regret of untaken paths.
The weight of making a decision creates a sense of tension and unease, evident in the speaker's stress. Even after making a choice, the stress persists as the speaker questions the logic of their decision. This portrayal of stress reflects the inherent pressure and uncertainty accompanying life's pivotal moments, resonating with readers who would have experienced similar challenges.
William Butler Yeats’s ‘The Second Coming’ delves into the hopeless atmosphere of post-World War I Europe through apocalyptic imagery.
The poem conveys stress through its portrayal of disintegration and impending doom. The line “The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity” reveals a world on the verge of collapse, generating stress from the absence of leadership and the looming threat of anarchy. The falcon’s spiraling flight mirrors the growing tension throughout the poem.
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
‘I heard a Fly Buzz – when I died’ by Emily Dickinson is an unforgettable depiction of the moments before death. The speaker emphasizes the stillness of the room and the movements of a single fly.
There is an inherent quality of stress in this poem as the speaker considers their death.
This poem explores nature’s overwhelming force and its impact on human lives, capturing a tense struggle between man and the environment.
The relentless assault of wind and noise induces stress. The house, described as a “fine green goblet” about to shatter, mirrors the human psyche under pressure. Hughes’ striking portrayal makes readers feel the weight of nature’s chaos, paralleling stressful moments in life when we fear breaking under pressure.
This house has been far out at sea all night, The woods crashing through darkness, the booming hills, Winds stampeding the fields under the window Floundering black astride and blinding wet
‘Paraphrase on Anacreon: Ode to the Swallow,’ is a translation of a Greek lyric poem in which the speaker explains that love constantly (and annoyingly) inhabits their heart.
In 'Paraphrase on Anacreon: Ode to the Swallow,' the speaker is stressed out by the many lovers, exes, and crushes they have. These people constantly fill up the speaker's heart, swarming her mind with chatter, fluttering wings, and desire for nourishment and care.
‘A Married State’ by Philips critiques 17th-century marriage, advocating for women’s freedom over societal norms.
The way she lists everything that comes with marriage—pleasing a husband, childbirth, crying children, and less time for prayer—feels like an emotional load. The speaker does not focus on one event but presents a series of daily burdens that build over time. She makes it clear that these are not small moments of discomfort. They are constant. The poem treats marriage not as a stage in life, but as a long list of stressful expectations.
‘Please Hold’ by Ciaran O’Driscoll speaks to a general frustration about the automated nature of contemporary life and the horror of being “on hold.”
The stress in this poem comes from a slow buildup rather than any single dramatic moment. The speaker is trapped in a call that seems to stretch forever, repeating information and hearing back meaningless replies. There’s no relief or progress, just the same cycle over and over. This captures how small things, like a phone call that goes nowhere, can cause real mental strain. The poem shows this well, though it stays more focused on frustration and anger.
‘My Mother Dreams Another Country’ looks at the worries that afflicted a woman in the 1960s pregnant with a mixed-race child.
The woman's concerns about the future that awaits her daughter cause her a great deal of stress. The poem discusses the belief that was held at the time that this might affect the unborn baby. The fears that caused her this stress are shown in the poem.
Already the words are changing. She is changing
from colored to negro, black still years ahead
This is 1966 - she is married to a white man -
and there are more names for what grows inside her.
‘Theories of Time and Space’ by Natasha Trethewey navigates a journey of displacement and memory, urging readers to embrace change.
The poem induces stress through the speaker's reflections on the passage of time. The shifting landscapes and fragmented imagery may evoke a sense of anxiety and tension, as readers confront the uncertainties of life's journey and the unknown future. Additionally, the dead end at the coast symbolizes the limitations and constraints of life, eliciting feelings of stress and apprehension about what lies ahead.
‘Last Affair: Bessie’s Blues Song’ by Michael S. Harper explores Bessie Smith’s blues, portraying love’s impact with vivid imagery and poignant refrains.
This poem evokes stress through rhythmic refrains, expressing Bessie Smith's plea. The repetition intensifies, creating a sense of emotional turmoil. Vivid imagery, like disarticulated limbs and a cut vein, amplifies the stress inherent in love's challenges. The poem captures the tension between personal desires and societal constraints, evoking a palpable sense of stress and strain.
Maya Angelou’s ‘Momma Welfare Roll’ vividly portrays resilience and defiance amid societal judgment, navigating poverty with unwavering agency.
This Angelou poem evokes stress through the woman's portrayal of navigating societal judgment and bureaucratic challenges. The tension is palpable in her pursuit of welfare. The cyclic repetition of societal condemnation adds to the stressful atmosphere, capturing the strain of dealing with both external judgments and the intricacies of a bureaucratic system while navigating economic hardships.
‘Daystar’ by Rita Dove is a powerful and moving poem. It describes a mother’s life and the only moment of peace she has throughout her entire day.
The woman’s daily life is filled with stress because she has no time to breathe or take care of herself. She is constantly looking after her children, doing housework, and responding to her husband’s needs. She barely has a moment to rest, and even when she does, it is not enough. The weight of everything she has to do makes her feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and completely drained.
‘Renouncement’ by Alice Meynell is a passionate poem in which the speaker fights to fend off thoughts of the person she loves. She refuses to allow herself to think about this person during the day.
The speaker experiences significant stress trying to avoid thoughts of the beloved. This ongoing tension affects their daily life and emotional well-being. The stress highlights the difficulty of managing intense emotions. This emotion adds to the overall struggle depicted in the poem.
I must not think of thee; and, tired yet strong,
I shun the thought that lurks in all delight—
The thought of thee—and in the blue heaven's height,
‘My Arkansas’ by Maya Angelou unveils a state’s history with vivid imagery, exploring resilience and transformation amid historical burdens.
The poem induces stress through its portrayal of Arkansas's deep brooding and the discomfort associated with the excessively red earth. The vivid imagery, like moss hanging from poplar trees, and the anticipation of a transformative yet uncertain future create a tense atmosphere. The poem subtly invites readers to feel the weight of societal struggles and the stress associated with navigating historical complexities.
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