One Art by Elizabeth Bishop is a poem that explores loss in relation to an art; however, this art is not to be envied or sought for success. Everyone has experienced loss as the art of losing is presented as inevitably simple to master. The speaker's attitude towards the loss gradually becomes more serious as the poem progresses. The keys, having virtually no reason for emotional attachment, are mentioned in line 5 with an accepting tone that, “Yes, it's okay to lose the keys.” While vital to breaking a lock, keys are such a generic item that they can be easily replaced and, aside from being unable to open the door, won't be missing for long. Lines 2 and 3 state that “so many things seem filled with the intent to be lost that their loss is no disaster.” These “intent to get lost” items are items like keys and pens that, if lost, do not cause an emotional shock or have much of an impact on the person who lost them. Bishop uses repetition of the phrase "The art of losing is not difficult to master" to emphasize and even explain the speaker's reasons...