What type of poem can best be characterized as expressing mourning or loss?

An elegy is a type of poem that is specifically designed to express feelings of mourning or loss, particularly in relation to the death of a person. It often reflects on sorrow, lamentation, and the broader themes of grief and remembrance. Elegies can convey profound emotional depth and are traditionally characterized by their solemn tone and reflective nature.

In contrast, a sonnet is a structured form of poetry that typically explores themes of love or beauty rather than directly addressing mourning. A limerick is known for its humorous and whimsical nature, often employing a playful, light-hearted tone. A ballad, while it can tell stories of love and loss, often has a narrative structure and is more lyrical in nature, focusing on storytelling rather than an overt expression of mourning. Thus, the elegy stands out uniquely as the poetic form that inherently embodies the themes of grief and loss.