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Requested by Nan ... Playing With My Feet
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Requested by Nan ... Playing With My Feet |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada 
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Nan asked me to pop in and post this piece in the Workshop. I had a lot of fun with it, and I hope to do a Part II somewhere down the line. I was just having some fun, lol. Hope you enjoy! /pip/Forum69/HTML/002478.html#16 ~*~ Playing With My Feet I tried to help a friend to understand the other day, The many forms of poetry, with which I like to play; I have my favorites, true enough … the one I'm writing in … Is often how I choose to play, and so I shall begin. Yes, I myself, am partial to - da DUM da DUM da DUM, I like the soft, then hard of the Iambic's gentle drum; I often stick to seven feet (that's fourteen taps a line), Heptameter, they call it, and I think it's rather fine. It seems to lead a story with it's gentle, rhythmic hold, Enough da DUM's to tell the tale, and let it all unfold; A ballad tends to lend itself quite well to this, you'll find, Iambic, plus Heptameter … it is my favorite kind. Iambic has two syllables, the stress upon the last, It goes da DUM da DUM da DUM - from there, the dye is cast; Trochaic has two syllables, but flips it's beat around; Its DUM da DUM da, sets a very different tone and sound. Another form's Dactylic, with three syllables in kind, The stress is on the first of three … it's trying on the mind; Now Anapestic, it has three, with stress upon the third, A little harder, some might say … at least that's what I've heard. Together with the pattern that you choose to stress above, Comes tapping of the feet per line … it's meter that I love; Each grouping of your pattern, sets a rhythm to your feet, Just tap it out through every line … consistently repeat. The numbers in your meter have some very silly names, But if each line repeats itself, you won't go down in flames; There's Monometer (one foot line), and Dimeter (that's two), Try Trimeter (a three foot line), there's many you can do. Tetrameter (a four foot line) is one I like to use, Pentameter is popular (a five foot line) to choose; Hexameter (a six foot line) is more obscure to me, Heptameter's my favorite though (with seven feet you see).  Of course, there's still Octometer (with eight feet in a line), A little longer, but it's still a meter that is fine; That's just the basics for a start, the key is in "repeat" Just choose a pattern, count it out, and tap it with your feet.  *~* Still keeping with Iambic's trait, I've changed again … another gait; You'll notice my da DUM's are here, Though now I have less feet, I fear.  Tetrameter, I think is nice, Four feet (eight beats) my other vice, When paired with the Iambic hum, A gentler side of me, will come. I find my thoughts are more concise, Less words to ramble, yet entice, Oh yes, I love this form for sure … Iambic, plus Tetrameter. ~*~ Da da DUM, I can try, da da DUM, Change the stress and hope words will still come, Anapestic is something I find, That is hard for this feeble, old mind. Yet I try, and I try, just the same, For these formats are just a nice game, Using Trimeter helps, though I've found, Only three feet to tap on the ground. *~* Wait! Let's try another sample, Change the stress, the meter's ample … With Trochaic, you can change it, Pair Tetrameter to pace it. Oh! The joy, to change your cadence, Let me give you this, for instance. Four feet in these lines, I'm counting, Can you see the fun is mounting? ~*~ Well IF you've followed all above, you'll think I've lost my mind, You'll see that I have switched again, back to my favorite kind; Iambic's how I like to go … Heptameter's for me, It's simply how I like to write … it sets my spirit free. If you da DUM, or DUM da too, or even da da DUM, Just keep your meter repetitious … count your feet, each one; Exaggerate your words aloud to see if they will flow, (Just do it in a room alone so others will not know!) I hope you had some fun with these … I did, I will confess, It's great to try a different meter and a different stress … The key is in the repetition, hold to it throughout, Or you will lose your readers (like I do sometimes, no doubt!)  /Kit McCallum [This message has been edited by Kit McCallum (06-02-2002 12:51 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2002 Kit McCallum - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Titia Geertman Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182Netherlands |
LOL you should hear me when I'm writing my da DUM's Great, just great Titia A rose is a rose is a rose...I guess... |
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Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Oh sure and I am ticklish!  ~* Tell someone in your family that you love them today *~ |
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Munda Member Elite
since 1999-10-08
Posts 3544The Hague, The Netherlands |
My kids say I even da DUM in my sleep!  Great write Kit! |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Truth be known, both Balladeer and I are pretty miffed at this... Kit had some nerve writing this great poem before we even THOUGHT of it...  |
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Dr.Moose1 Member Elite
since 1999-09-05
Posts 3448Bewilderment , USA |
Kit, Applause! For a while I thought I was the only one who wrote poetry about poetry( a little mnemonic exercise to help remember which was which.)This was great, I too wish I had written it! Doc |
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Sven
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA |
I could kiss you Kit!!!!  this is exactly what I need. . . thank you. . . thank you. . . thank you. . .  ------------------------------------------------------- To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world. |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Kit~ I just couldn't help but notice you have included STRESS six times That calls for some more Valium to calm the Da Dum in my mind~ I have got an Octometer that simply will not let me be Stress knows just where I hang my pen assaulting unmercifully~ Now before I do feel quite faint I think I will exit this place You can find me on the playground I'm the one with egg on my face~  *Titia ! Your turn to push the merry-go-round ! ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Interloper
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369Deep in the heart |
I love to read your work, I do it is so much fun reading you  Fool, said my Muse to me, look in thy heart and write. |
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Interloper
since 2000-11-06
Posts 8369Deep in the heart |
I am, it seems, a dunce today. Forgot, I did, to save this thread. I will not let this get away so I can read it when abed Fool, said my Muse to me, look in thy heart and write. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
AARRGGHH... I keep TRIPPING! |
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Bridget Shenachie Senior Member
since 2002-01-23
Posts 1056Kansas USA |
Kit, I've read this over and over and am still trying to absorb it. All I can say is "Wow!" This is a keeper for my library. May I share it with my friends? Shenachie |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Thanks for all the kind words everyone! I'm glad you enjoyed playing with my feet!  Big hugs and ticklish, toe-tappin' feet to all,  /Kit (please feel free to share Bridget ... the more feet, the merrier) |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
 ...And she tried to divert me with PINCHES..!!.. |
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Not A Poet Member Elite
since 1999-11-03
Posts 3885Oklahoma, USA |
Well, I think you have just about covered it all here. Nice job. Very impressive. Pete |
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vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
Kit- You're amazing and this is pure genius! I absolutely LOVE your feet! LOL! Hugs,  Vicky "...until you have read the verse on his heart, |
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Nan, You should be miffed! I am simply amazed.I am going to tack this one on the wall beside my computer. It's wonderful! Way to go Kit Love ya (beginning to feel a little miffed) Liz |
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Paul Wilson
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711United States |
Thanks. Now to practice what I don't quite understand...Paul "To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you" |
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Local Parasite
since 2001-11-05
Posts 2527Transylconia, Winnipeg |
Miss McCallum, a pleasure to read your advice Both informative, witty and charmingly done But assail me no words of malignance and vice For replying in meter -- my favourite one I applaud your attempt at the anapest beat Thought reluctant it was, as you're plain to admit Now I'm wondering, pondering, p'raps your old feet Could strut finely if only your anapests fit? I refuse to believe a Heptameter fan Could be so irrepressibly stubborn in foot I implore you, my lady (and know that you can) Hold your anapests high, and give iambs the boot! If you cheat, and start lines with conjunctions and "oh"s You will find that the anapest quickly succumbs Consequently, if tapping confuses your toes, Then perhaps you should tap with your fingers and thumbs! Toss away all your iambs, and rise from your seat da-da-Don't chicken out now, it's easy to do You could call it a challenge, but number your feet Anapestic Heptameter's waiting for you |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
Thanks for the fun everyone. I'm glad you enjoyed this one. I had a lot of fun with it (and still am apparently, lol) From LP: "da-da-Don't chicken out now, it's easy to do" ROFL ... LP, that was priceless! A wonderfully rich and flowing response, that tickled both my cadence lovin' ears, and my funny bone at the same time! Much appreciated! Much appreciation to all, /Kit [This message has been edited by Kit McCallum (01-07-2003 05:19 PM).] |
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kayjay Member Elite
since 2002-06-24
Posts 2015Oregon |
Though I'm late to this gathering clan of the verse And afraid that my efforts could only be worse, May I tell you with pleasure I read in your poem; Anapestic is one word that really hits home With a meter to guide me, I’ll surely improve And I’ll write of a romance or maybe a dove For your structure gives mortar and bricks to my plight While I sit here and tell of the shadows of night. Wonderfully written lesson. Thank you. KJ Through rubble and trouble and dark of night |
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Class Member
since 1999-12-21
Posts 93In Poetry Class |
My name is Nate, the notoriouse nate. Your crazy, but thats cool. You should write a poem about something that has to do with seagulls cause they are funny, but Nan says you're crazy too so, you can prolly do it. Cool crazy poem, latEr |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
It's not my fault, Kit - I used your poem in class this morning... Nate is a musician so he's really into meter. He loved your poem...  |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
LOL, how'd this get back up here? You playing with my feet again Nan? I'm ticklish ya know! |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
...Tickle Tickle.... |
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Endlessecho Member
since 2003-09-05
Posts 398I live within myself |
This is amazing. whew.. and tiring. |
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croyles Member
since 2004-01-27
Posts 102 |
WELL DONE KIT!!! And all the other people who say "well done" in poetry! I will put you in my library. Hope you see my poem too in the Poetry #31 forum, its called "The Circle or the Spiral?", and it is my first ever poem, but not any specific type of poem. "Creativity is more inportant than knowledge." Albert Einstein. |
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croyles Member
since 2004-01-27
Posts 102 |
very nice poem!!! Oh and what is a stressed line? And what are all these meters about? Sorry, couldnt learn that from your poem. |
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croyles Member
since 2004-01-27
Posts 102 |
and what are stressed and unstressed lines? |
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Richy Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 3050 |
Hi Kit, I’ll have to tell you that, I liked this very much I also like to write this way, it’s almost like a crutch It helps to keep my feet in line, and hold that certain beat The only way that I can write, that keeps it clean and neat I don’t know where this beat comes from, I’m only glad it’s here Cause if I didn’t have it, things would really get severe It would be like running out of gas, in my two-seater Only to find out I didn’t put coins in the meter Thanks so much, and please take care, I hope that all is well I’m glad I’m not the only one who writes like this, that’s swell I much enjoyed the way you used da Dum da Dum da Dum It is always nice to hear, from our own Kit McCallum Richy |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I said it before, and I will say it again, "Easy for you to say!" LOL. You tried, honestly you tried with me, admit it you gave up LOL. Oh you are just too darn good a da dummer. |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Tickle, tickle |
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Lucie Senior Member
since 1999-06-20
Posts 1077Houston |
You all talk of feet, I'm confused, can you tell? I write with a rhythm, but not very well. Perhaps if I learned "blah-blah-meters" I'd know. Disapline to make all my poetry flow. I won't say I haven't created a few. Poems that can strum on a heartstring or two. But try to learn meter? My brain gets all numb. I end up feeling da da dum, da da dumb!  Remember me with a smile on your face, or please don't remember me at all. |
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Bailey Junior Member
since 2010-04-09
Posts 12Georgia, US |
This is the most helpful poem!! Thank you!! |
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