A couple of questions in meter

LivingConfused
Junior Member
since 12-27-2009
Posts 30
Alaska

0 posted 01-06-2010 05:19 AM

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  Hi, I am thinking of rewriting my submissions into meter and rhythm.  I will attempt rhyming but I don't feel comfortable changing the meaning for the sake of rhyme.  A couple of early questions.  Can the meter in a poem change. If I use the wrong word let me know, this is confusing. As an example, can a poem that starts Iambic(Unstressed + Stressed), switch to Trochaic(Stressed + Unstressed)?

  Also do the number of feet have to remain the same line to line?

  Where should I post the the poem in its new form?

[This message has been edited by LivingConfused (01-06-2010 06:49 AM).]

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 05-20-99
Posts 24088
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

1 posted 01-06-2010 09:52 AM

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Rhyming isn't essential to the maintenance of proper meter.  A classic example is "Blank Verse," which adheres to iambic pentameter but doesn't contain a rhyme scheme.

If you're attempting this, you might try focusing on one at a time.  Meter first and rhyming later?  That's just a suggestion.

You certainly can change your meter within a poem.  I'm a staunch believer in structured poetry, so my response will admittedly be a traditional one - but you can certainly make adjustments and still remain true to your form.

You'll find many well known poems that alternate lines in iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter.  It's also very common to find poetry that opens with a trochaic line and settles into iambics thereafter.

My suggestion would be to practice.  Just get your rhythm and meter down.  Think about rhyming later.

As for where to post?  The Workshop is here for you, so post away!  Good luck..

Nan's Morsels Writers' Blog

Balladeer
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 06-05-99
Posts 22127
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

3 posted 01-06-2010 11:19 AM

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Meter can certainly change, as can the number of syllables in a line....as long as they are consistent. As a general rule, rhyming lines should follow the same patterns. For example:

i WENT to SEE my BUD-dy
LIV-ing DOWN the STREET
i FLAGGED a PAS-sing TAX-i
SAV-ing MY poor FEET.

The rhyming lines 1 and 3 are iambic, with 7 syllables. The rhyming lines 2 and 4 are trochaic with 5 syllables. The meter is preserved. This is just something you will have to practice on. There are some thoughts that simply do not do well with structured forms, in which case free verse is the better way to go. SOme are greatly enhanced by using structure. Only you can decide which is best for your poem.

When Nan says post away, she doesn't really mean post away! Look at the assignments and feel free to add to them with poems you want a critique on. Do not simply post poems that are not attached to an assignment. If you go back through the history of this workshop, you will find many areas covered dealing with rhyme, structure, flow, etc. Find a topic that you feel you need work on and submit a poem on that thread. I will then help you out with it.

Good luck!

LivingConfused
Junior Member
since 12-27-2009
Posts 30
Alaska

4 posted 01-06-2010 12:07 PM

Inappropriate content?

Thank you Balladeer, I will remember to post within the assignments for future writes. I am enjoying this and may try the assignments and have fun with them. Not write something near and dear.

Should I delete The girl who would be Daughter(rework) or will it be moved?

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