Top 7 Breakup Poems To Deal With Your Heartbreak

Breakups are never easy to deal with, and they are one of the hardest things that one can ever go through in life. It involves intense pain and sorrow, and you may find it difficult to forget your past relationship. But here is a good collection of breakup poems that can soothe your soul and give hope for a better future. Deep and soulful breakup poems can be a potent outlet for emotions. They guide you through the healing process and help you reflect on your emotions and express them. They not only validate your experiences but also give hope that there is a brighter future outside of heartbreak. Check out this article for some sad breakup poems that will make you realize that you are alone. Scroll down for more information.

4 Sad Breakup Poems

1. Heavy

That time
I thought I could not
go any closer to grief
without dying

I went closer,
and I did not die.
Surely God
had his hand in this,

as well as friends.
Still, I was bent,
and my laughter,
as the poet said,

was nowhere to be found.
Then said my friend Daniel,
(brave even among lions),
“It’s not the weight you carry

but how you carry it–
books, bricks, grief–
it’s all in the way
you embrace it, balance it, carry it

when you cannot, and would not,
put it down.”
So I went practicing.
Have you noticed?

Have you heard
the laughter
that comes, now and again,
out of my startled mouth?

How I linger
to admire, admire, admire
the things of this world
that are kind, and maybe

also troubled –
roses in the wind,
the sea geese on the steep waves,
a love
to which there is no reply?

–Mary Oliver

2. If I’d Never Met You

“If I’d never met you,
I wouldn’t feel the pain
Of losing your sweet love;
I wouldn’t feel insane.

But if I’d never met you,
I wouldn’t know the pleasure
Of ecstasy’s warm gifts
And memories to treasure.

Now moving on with life,
I force a wistful grin,
Questioning what went wrong,
Wondering what might have been.”

– Joanna Fuchs

3. After Love

“There is no magic any more,

We meet as other people do,
You work no miracle for me
Nor I for you.
You were the wind and I the sea –
There is no splendor any more,
I have grown listless as the pool
Beside the shore.

But though the pool is safe from storm
And from the tide has found surcease,
It grows more bitter than the sea,
For all its peace.”

– Sara Teasdale

4. Oxymoronic Love

“Hatred is the new love. Rage is right. Touch
is touch. The collars of the coat, turned down,
point up. The corners of our hearts are smoothed
with rough. Our glass breaks slick, our teeth
rip soft.

We are sipping from the water’s thirst. We were lost
at first. From the finish, begun. We undergo
the pain the other knows. We are cartoon yards
where dogs dig for lost bones. Esoteric,
we are full of holes. That need to be filled.
That need to be dug. We are under-loved.
We are under-known. Give to us and we are
downcast and uplifted and sift like water
and sand like stone. We are greedy, we are
gone. We are helpless, we are prone. Drain us
or fill us and we’ll ache a vast installment.
Let us empty. Let us alone. Madness
is our happiness. Sadness is our home.”

– Jennifer Militello

3 Painful Breakup Poem

5. The Fist

“The fist clenched round my heart
loosens a little, and I gasp
brightness; but it tightens
again. When have I ever not loved
the pain of love? But this has moved

past love to mania. This has the strong
clench of the madman, this is
gripping the ledge of unreason, before
plunging howling into the abyss.

Hold hard then, heart. This way at least you live.”

– Derek Walcott

6. What Lips My Lips Have Kissed, and Where, and Why

“What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why,
I have forgotten, and what arms have lain
Under my head till morning; but the rain
Is full of ghosts tonight, that tap and sigh
Upon the glass and listen for reply,
And in my heart there stirs a quiet pain
For unremembered lads that not again
Will turn to me at midnight with a cry.

Thus in the winter stands the lonely tree,
Nor knows what birds have vanished one by one,
Yet knows its boughs more silent than before:
I cannot say what loves have come and gone,
I only know that summer sang in me
A little while, that in me sings no more.”

– Edna St. Vincent Millay

7. The Death Of Lovers

We will have beds imbued with mildest scent,
And couches, deep as tombs, in which to lie,
Flowers around us, strange and opulent,
Blooming on shelves under the finest skies.

Approaching equally their final light,
Our twin hearts will be two great flaming brands
That will be double in each other’s sight
Our souls the mirrors where the image stands.

One evening made of rose and mystic blue
We will flare out, in an epiphany
Like a long sob, charged with our last adieus.

And later, opening the doors, will be
An Angel, who will joyfully reglaze
The tarnished mirrors, and relight the blaze.

– Charles Baudelaire

You must have felt the raw emotions and wonderful imagery of these breakup poems. Maybe it is time to see how your own feelings would look when put into words too, right? So, here are some tips that can be helpful in creating a piece uniquely yours from heart to paper.

Tips For Writing Your Own Breakup Poem

Poems really speak to deep feelings of sorrow, confusion, and loss one feels at the end of a relationship. Through rich language and imagery, they represent the loss of love, providing you with the words to express pain and comfort in shared experiences. Follow these tips to help craft your own poignant piece:

• Start by allowing yourself to feel the full range of emotions associated with the breakup; pain, anger, sadness, and even relief. Write down freely these specific feelings, memories, or moments. This raw expression will serve as the foundation for your poem.
• Consider what aspect of the breakup you want to highlight. Is it the moment of separation, the memories shared, or the lessons learned? Focusing on a specific theme can help create a more cohesive and impactful poem.
• Using vivid imagery and metaphors, add an element of richness and imagination to your poem. Relate your emotions to some form of nature or object. This will help readers connect with your experience on a deeper level.
• Read other breakup poems to see how other authors express similar feelings. Use those as an inspiration for your own writing style.
• Do not feel bound to a certain form. From free verse to rhyming stanzas to a haiku, play with the structure best suited for your message and emotional tone.
• Put the piece down for a while after writing it, then edit it. This distance may make you see areas you might need to refine or clarify.
• Should you feel comfortable doing so, consider sharing your poem with good friends or a writing group. Feedback can be quite helpful in fine-tuning the piece.

Writing a breakup poem is a step toward healing and self-discovery. Acknowledge the courage it takes to express your feelings creatively and celebrate the progress you make along the way.

Infographic: Two Relatable Poems To Read After A Breakup

Breakups are never pleasant, even when the relationship between the two people was not working and parting ways was the only option. There are a lot of feelings that need to be dealt with and a lot of damage to repair. Your emotional, mental, and sometimes physical well-being can take a hit. At such times, resorting to art and poetry is one of the best things one can do. Check out the infographic below for two beautifully relatable breakup poems.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How can writing a breakup poem help in the healing process?

Writing is the best form of healing. As journaling can aid in clearing our thoughts and expressing gratitude, putting our suppressed emotions into words about a dear love lost can help us move on from the heartbreak. If you are trying to find ways to forget someone you love, start by venting your feelings on a paper.

What is the role of emotions in breakup poems?

Breakup poems include an array of emotions, be it melancholy, anger, pain, or even regret. These emotions, when poured into the poems, can help us face our feelings and eventually let go of the past.

How can one express feelings of anger and bitterness in a breakup poem?

Poetry is the rawest form of expression. You can express bitterness or anger in a breakup poem by simply writing whatever is dominating your thoughts. Let the words flow without any sugar-coating, and show your true feelings.

Illustration: Breakup Poems To Deal With Your Heartbreak

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Breakups are never easy. The following video expresses the true emotions of heartbreak when a beautiful relationship ends. Check it out.

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Amira MartinLicensed Clinical Social Worker & Psychotherapist

       

Amira Martin, LCSW-R, is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience. She obtained her master’s degree from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College in 2002 and specializes in treating children and adults.

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Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Sneha holds a master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad and a professional Relationship Coach diploma. With over four years of experience in writing, she specializes in crafting insightful articles on relationships and lifestyle.

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Shatabdi BhattacharyaAssociate Editor

Shatabdi is an associate editor and an alumnus of Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of the world of literature and expression. She has worked with various organizations and websites operating in different industries, ranging from education to lifestyle, showing her adaptability and drive to learn.

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