The poem discusses how losing things is an inevitable part of life that should not be seen as a disaster. It suggests getting used to small everyday losses like misplacing keys or wasting time. It then advises getting accustomed to losing bigger things like homes, possessions, and people. While these losses are painful, the poem argues that mastering the art of losing will allow one to accept even major losses as natural rather than disastrous occurrences.

1. One Art Elizabeth Bishop You should master “the art of losing”