Pity the Beautiful is a collection of poems by American poet Dana Gioia. Gioia is a noted figure in the poetry world, serving as the chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts from 2003-2009. The book was published in 2012 to critical praise.
As do Gioia's previous works, Pity the Beautiful utilizes both metrical and free verse to create poems centering around spirituality and looking closer at normal aspects of daily lives. The titular poem, "Pity the Beautiful", talks about pitying beautiful things that will lose their shine with time. Other notable works include "Special Treatments Ward", a somber piece about a cancer ward, and "Haunted".
Pity the Beautiful was well-received by long-time fans of Gioia and critics alike. Critics praised its haunting lyricism, as well as Gioia's precise yet shrouded writing style.
