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JOSIE'S POEMS
Metre in Poetry
By Josie Whitehead
Introduction to Metre/Rhythm in Poetry
Rhythm/metre can be described as the beat and pace of a poem. The rhythmic beat is created by the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line or verse. In modern poetry, line breaks, repetition and even spaces for silence can help to create rhythm. Rhythm can help to strengthen the meaning of words and ideas in a poem.
Let's look at some of them in poetry now although watch out! There are lots and lots more than below.
Iambic metre:
When a line of verse is composed of two-syllable units that flow from unaccented beat to an accented beat, the rhythmic pattern is said to be an iambic meter, ie i AM i AM i AM i AM
An ALLiGAtor SPENDS his LIFE,
A BOY called SAMuel SPENser SMILE
The EVEning SUN has DISaPPEARED;
It's BURNing TONGUE deVOURED our LIGHT.
Click below on poems:
5 Sundown
and many more
Trochaic metre
A trochee is the opposite of an iamb. Therefore it has a heavy syllable followed by a light one: DUM di DUM di DUM di DUM di
LOUDly DRUMS beat IN the STREET;
LOUDly TAP shoes DANCE on FEET.
BELle BELle CAMpanEle
HEAR the THUNder, FEEL the RAIN
ROBert HURRied OFF to WORK
DADDy's HUNTing FOR his SHOES
NODding GENTly IN the BREEZE;
BATHED in RAIN beNEATH the TREES;
Click below on poems
Anapaestic metre: (or Anapestic)
Anapestic metre is exactly as it sounds: an a PAEST, ie 2 short sounds followed by a heavy sound.
Let's look at some anapaests in poetry now:
When you GO to the SEAside just WHAT do you SEE?
Three WITCHes deCIDed to GO out for LUNCH - - -
As the TREE won’t need FOOD until SPRINGtime next YEAR - - -
Daddy's BIG black umBRELLa sat OUT in the HALL
Well I CAN'T think of ANy more POems for YOU.
Click below on poems
6 Leaves
10 I Like - - - - (This is a very popular poem with children and teachers)
. . . and many others too
Dactylic Metre
Dactyl - DAC-tyl-ic - Say it. It is the opposite of an-a-PAEST.
Dactylic has a strong first beat followed by two lighter beats. This metre is exactly like a waltz in music. Dum di di DUM di di.
WORKing like MAD but then GETting low MARKS
HELPing my MUM in the KITchen each DAY
WALKing to SCHOOL in my SHINy new BOOTS
DANCing all NIGHT and then FEELing quite TIRED
UNder my BED lives a MONster you KNOW.
Click below on poems:
3 Diddledy Daddledy My Little Duck
4 It's Harvest Thanksgiving