The article deals with the unique artistic system of Y.P. Polonsky's poetry. Its key feature is the lyrical subject's ability both, to convey the emotional experience of everyday private life nuances and to express a sense of the tragic flow of life, latently existing behind the external ordinariness. The poetry by Y.P. Polonsky is a complex "fabric", into which some universal themes are woven, such as the elusive beauty and tragedy of human destiny, the mystery of every day life. His lyrics being drawn towards ballad epicism, the poet expresses subtle emotional states of the barely noticeable fate changeability, which captures the human situation in existence. The article analyzes in detail the poet's most representative works: "The Recluse" (1846), "The Bell" (1854), "The Prisoner" (1878), "For A.A. Fet" (1888).