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Really - Iambic Pentameter

Really? Iambic Pentameter. Oh well, this is where you really put your foot in it. No! Not your mouth! Not the hokey kokey either, although its a little like that. More like a builder's measurements. Iambic pentameter's measurements are five feet long, per line that is. Of what is this 'foot' you ask? I contain myself, I do not give you the boot anywhere. It's a fair question. This particular 'foot' measures two syllables. And, yes you're already there – so an iambic pentameter line consists of 10 syllables. Now we get to the heart of the form. The Iam bit. This Iam gives the rhythm or heartbeat to the poem. It is like a two beat dance. First beat of the duo syllable is light, unstressed and the second is heavier or stressed. So placed to create a natural cadence that echo's our own hearts. This is why the form is mainly used for emotional subjects. There we have the iambic pentameter form. Your heart doth drip its aqua tears my knight Let service be your key, pray not for me Serve I must in another court this day All so soon I glimpse its citrine soft light Let your grief tend our summer hallowed tree Look for me in still pools sanctioned by fae. Written 3 August for Contest sponsored by Line Gauthier Reads like Music – Haibun – look Poetry Contest

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018




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Date: 8/5/2018 7:56:00 AM
Thank you for your much appreciated entry, Virginia. Love your poem.
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Virginia Waters
Date: 8/5/2018 4:44:00 PM
Thank you - took me a while to get head around topic. Still not sure got the poem exactly to the right rhythm. But it wanted to be just that - so I don't argue.
Date: 8/5/2018 3:13:00 AM
Pretty awesome, Virginia. This haibun really hearkens back to an age of chivalry with a code of conduct as strict as the rules of --- iambic pentameter! … Where is the brave knight who will save our wayward age?! :) gw
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Virginia Waters
Date: 8/5/2018 4:21:00 AM
thank you for awesome comment. those knights are about - just need eyes to see. Mostly they look more like bag ladies!!
Date: 8/3/2018 10:09:00 AM
I love this, Virginia, as I have a tough time with the concept, especially when I want to use three syllable words lol. Thank you for trying for me, but I'm afraid its falling on tone deaf ears lol. Great write and advice.
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Virginia Waters
Date: 8/3/2018 11:12:00 PM
ha - that's funny as I am tone deaf too. Not sure have got it either. Line and PS is making me learn a lot of new stuff, that I managed to dodge til now.
Date: 8/3/2018 2:44:00 AM
Love it Virginia , when I joined soup I was scratching my head over it, and now its beginning to make sense to me. Da Dum da Dum da Dum lol. Good luck. Tom
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Virginia Waters
Date: 8/3/2018 11:13:00 PM
Just studied it for Line's project. Never been a fan before but it's good to make the old brain learn new things - thanks Tom

Book: Reflection on the Important Things