Best Poems About Suicide

Poetry has long been a vehicle for exploring complex and difficult subjects, including suicide. Some of the best poems about suicide are deeply moving and thought-provoking, offering insight into the profound pain and despair that can lead someone to take their own life. In this article, we will explore some of the most powerful poems on this theme, written by renowned poets throughout history.

1. "The Suicides" by Jorge Luis Borges

Jorge Luis Borges was an Argentine poet and writer known for his intricate and philosophical works. In "The Suicides," Borges explores the idea of suicide as a choice to escape from the unbearable nature of reality. The poem delves into the psychological depths of those who have taken their own lives, offering a haunting and poignant meditation on the subject.

"If we could understand a single flower
we might know who we are"

2. "Suicide's Note" by Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes was a leading figure of the Harlem Renaissance, known for his powerful poems that addressed themes of race, identity, and social injustice. In "Suicide's Note," Hughes offers a stark and raw portrayal of the final moments before a person takes their own life. The poem confronts the pain and loneliness that can drive someone to such a desperate act.

"The calm,
Cool face of the river
Asked me for a kiss"

3. "Annabel Lee" by Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe is renowned for his dark and macabre poems, and "Annabel Lee" is no exception. While not explicitly about suicide, the poem explores themes of loss, grief, and death in a hauntingly beautiful way. The narrator's love for the titular Annabel Lee transcends death itself, offering a chilling reminder of the depths of despair that can lead to thoughts of suicide.

"But we loved with a love that was more than love
I and my Annabel Lee"

4. "The Waking" by Theodore Roethke

Theodore Roethke was an American poet known for his intimate and introspective poems. In "The Waking," Roethke contemplates the nature of existence and the inevitability of death. While not explicitly about suicide, the poem touches on themes of mortality and the human desire to escape the pain of life.

"This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.
What falls away is always. And is near."

5. "Mad Girl's Love Song" by Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath was a poet known for her confessional style and exploration of mental illness. In "Mad Girl's Love Song," Plath grapples with the darkness of her own mind, contemplating the idea of suicide as a means of escape from inner turmoil. The poem is a haunting portrayal of the complex emotions that can lead someone to consider taking their own life.

"I think I made you up inside my head."

The best poems about suicide offer a window into the profound pain and despair that can push someone to contemplate taking their own life. Through powerful language and evocative imagery, these poems confront the complexities of mental illness, loss, and existential suffering. While the subject matter may be difficult, these poems serve as a reminder of the importance of compassion and understanding for those who are struggling with thoughts of suicide.