The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word ELEGIST
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
E
L
E
G
I
S
T
More clues leading to the result ELEGIST
- Poet, left say, during robbery in Bow
- Part of the leg is theme for poet
- Writer, say, English are inclined to defend say
- Glee? It’s unusual for this writer
- Donne was one to upset English society and leg it
- English member is first to thank one expressing mournful thoughts
- English supporter is in Germany, one writes sadly
- Poet right to pen first of sonnets in support of sweetheart
- Gloomy poet, say, enthralled by fifth-rate celebrities?
- Poet‘s line, for example, is in French also
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "expressing mournful thoughts" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case expressing mournful thoughts = elegist.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.