Feminine Ending

A feminine ending is a line of verse that finishes with an extra unstressed syllable after the expected metrical pattern. In English poetry, it often gives the line a softer, more fluid ending and can slightly loosen the beat. It is the opposite of a masculine ending, which ends on a stressed syllable.

Example

The candle flickered near the windowpane,
Its pale light trembling over book and chair,
And shadows leaned together in the rain.

Links

Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace