Poetic Rhythm and Meter
Ever noticed how some poems have a musical quality? That's rhythm - the pattern of beats created by stressed and unstressed syllables. When you read poetry aloud, you naturally emphasize some syllables more than others, creating this rhythmic flow.
Meter refers to the specific pattern and measurement of these rhythmic units in poetry. The basic unit of meter is called a foot, which contains a specific arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables. Common feet include the iamb unstressed+stressed, trochee stressed+unstressed, and dactyl stressed+unstressed+unstressed.
Poets also name their metrical patterns based on the number of feet per line. A line with four feet is called tetrameter, while one with five feet is pentameter. These combinations (like "iambic pentameter") tell you exactly what rhythm to expect throughout the poem.
Quick Tip: Try reading poetry aloud and tapping your finger with each stressed syllable to feel the rhythm. This technique helps you recognize different meters naturally!