Weak Ending

A weak ending is the extra unstressed syllable added at the end of a metrical line, especially in iambic verse. It gives the line an ending that falls away rather than stopping sharply, and it is often called a feminine ending.

Writers use weak endings to soften the rhythm, vary the beat, or make a line sound more natural in speech.

Example

The river keeps its patient course tonight
and fades into the silver of the shore.

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