A loss is defined as a feeling of grief when someone or something of value is deprived (quoted from oxforddictionaries.com). Every day we experience loss of one kind or another. It could be loss of time, loss of memory, or simply loss of personal items. However, these losses are very minor and do not significantly affect us. Many literary works explore this feeling. In the poems "Once Upon a Time" by Gabriel Okara and "Mother in a Refugee Camp" by Chinua Achebe, the heartfelt and negative loss of culture and identity is revealed. Similarly, “Catrin” by Gillian Clarke and “Mother Any Distance” by Simon Armitage, look at the loss of a child alongside the loss of identity. In this case, however, the loss of identity could be seen as positive, unlike the stereotypical view of a negative loss. Finally, DH Lawrence's 'Piano' and Ian McMillan's '04/01/07' also explore the loss of a loved one, their mother. This loss is expressed as a sincere and distressing loss. In "Once Upon a Time", Gabriel Okara talks about the loss of authenticity and identity with the passage of time. He tells his son how over a period of time people stopped doing things with their "heart" and are now "frozen." It shows how over time people have lost their authenticity. By contrasting the warm, love-filled word “heart” with “ice cold,” you inevitably force the reader to be traumatized as they would prefer a friendly neighbor over a hostile one. The juxtaposition is effective as Okara is able to put the readers in his shoes and sympathize with him by making the loss explored sentimental to the reader as well as himself. Similarly, Okara structures the poem chronologically from the past and what they. ..... middle of paper ...... also making them feel sentimental about the loss of identity and authenticity. I'm sure everyone has been influenced in one way or another to do something or become something they are not. Loss is truly something that everyone experiences, however the extent of each loss is different. “Once Upon a Time,” “Mother in a Refugee Camp,” “1/4/07,” and “Piano” view loss as a negative experience. This is not wrong as loss is defined as a feeling of pain (therefore negative), however some losses could be positive. “Catrin” and “Mother Any Distance” are great examples of this. Even though children are moving away from their parents and will complain at first, they will experience new things and learn to stand on their own two feet. In my opinion, a loss that makes you stronger is positive and you should learn from it; however the loss of good qualities should always be grieved.