John Watt Poet Rhyme

Would You Like To Meter

Today I feel iambic! I would say
of all the meters, I like it the best.
An iamb starts with some soft sound to say
then ev'ry second syllable is stressed.

Trochees likewise, alternate their stresses;
even-numbered syllables are muted. 
Nowhere near as popular (my guess is) -
Trochee fans, though, fervently dispute it.

Feet are the units of meter - such fun!
Dactyls have syllables STRESSED/, un-/, and un-.
"T'was the Night Before Christmas" is in Anapest:
that's a foot with three syllables: un-/, un-/, and 
  STRESSED.

The meter is the pattern of the beats within a line
"Iambic" and "Heptameter" describe this line just fine.
Anapestic Tetrameter: four anapests;
and the best part of THIS lecture series? No tests!

Trimeter has three feet
Tetrameter has just four feet
Pentameter adds one foot, making five
Hexameter adds one: six feet in this beehive
Heptameter has seven feet, but now it's getting late;
and so I'll close with this (you may have guessed): 
  Octameter has eight!

written 1 July 2023

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Panagiota Romios July 6, 2023 at 12:11 PM Dear John, The best poetry has mater. I see you are a master at this, I have yet to understand iambic.thoughI tried at many sites to understand it. You are a master of many of the other meters! I am so envious! Hugs, Panagiota I read footless sonnets here, that I would never post. Even the syllables are off the mark. I envy your knowledge and skill in meter.

Joanna Daniel July 3, 2023 at 2:27 AM You seem to enjoy this 'feat', John, I find it the toughest:) great poem:)

Gershon Wolf July 2, 2023 at 8:49 PM Somehow, even with all these feet to keep straight, I am confident that you will never feel de-feet-ed, John!... As for me, oy! my aching feet! ~ Poetic Feet Matter, gw

Ilene Bauer July 2, 2023 at 5:03 PM I got a real kick out of this, John, and I’ll bet you had a lot of fun writing it as well…

Bill Baker July 2, 2023 at 4:29 PM Well done, my friend. Nice review for some and a whole new world for others. :-) Thanks for sharing with us John. Blessings, Bill

Jan Allison July 2, 2023 at 1:51 AM what a fun poem John I am faving this one as in all honesty I find meter difficult, in fact, its all Greek to me! hugs jan xx