This week: The Difference Between Tone and Mood Edited by: Brooke is plotting.  
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| According to Wikipedia, Poetry (from the Greek word poiesis, "making") is a form of literary art that uses aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meanings in addition to, or in place of, literal or surface-level meanings. Thank you for reading this NL. |
What's the difference between tone and mood in a poem?
Tone in a poem refers to the poet's attitude or emotional stance toward the subject, characters, or audience. It's essentially how the poet feels about what they are writing about. Think of it as the poet's "voice" or perspective.
Mood, on the other hand, is the emotional atmosphere or feeling that the poem creates for the reader. It's how the poem makes the reader feel. Mood is often described in terms of atmosphere or the emotional landscape evoked by the poem.
Think of it this way:
Tone = Poet's attitude
Mood = Reader's feeling
How is it created? Tone is conveyed through the poet’s choice of words, their imagery, and their style. Mood is created through various literary devices like setting, imagery, diction, and even tone itself.
Can they be different? Definitely! Tone and mood don't always have to be the same.
One excellent example where they can differ is in satirical poetry.
Tone: The poet might employ a sarcastic, witty, or mocking tone to critique a particular subject or idea. The poet's attitude might be one of contempt or amusement at the subject.
Mood: However, the mood elicited in the reader might be irritation, anger, or even disgust, rather than the humor that one might expect from a satirical tone.
Why do tone and mood differ in this case?
The poet's sarcastic tone is meant to highlight the absurdity or injustice of the subject matter. While the poet's attitude is conveyed through sarcasm, the reader's reaction is shaped by their interpretation of the satire and their own emotional response to the issues being addressed. The poet's satirical tone serves to emphasize the seriousness of the subject, creating a mood of frustration or indignation in the reader.
In summary, tone is the author's expression of feeling, while mood is the feeling evoked in the reader. They work together to shape the overall meaning and emotional impact of a poem.
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Enjoy these poems with a variety of moods and tones.
"My Uncle's Farm" by Don Two 
From patches of childhood memory
I see the narrow driveway
leading to my uncle's farm;
it slipped down
through a shallow field
at the very western edge of Ohio.
"Invalid Item" by A Guest Visitor
There’s a place
in time
of no return
where you’re destined
for the end
"In a Daydream" by Mindertwenty 
Where space battles and aliens are a reality
My body may be tethered
But my mind is free
"Life Goes On" by Dan I Am 
I stare at the sky
and ask myself why
it's so.
"Poetic Tension" by Words Whirling 'Round
Words, streetwalkers of discourse,
their semblance shifts and twists
with every john’s desire.
"Mile Markers Bloom Green in the Night" by Joey's Summer Sparkle 
She said she'd be my lover
She beckoned me to say
And though she thought I answered
Well, I knew that I could not stay
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Poetry: July 16, 2025 Issue [#13243]
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