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Open Poetry #20
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Playing With My Feet
| Open Poetry #20 |
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Playing With My Feet |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada 
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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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Decaflame Senior Member
since 2001-05-11
Posts 1635 |
This seems to be the best of time caught within a clever rhyme my iambic beat shall always fail so I'll keep yours pinned to my tail |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Kit, this is an amazing write... But my head is spinning!  I am going to put this in my library and take some quiet time to try and learn. What a talented lady you are! ~Hugs~ |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Tappin' and da-DUMmin' here...  You KNOW I'm lovin' this... I wish I wrote it.. I wish I wrote it... I wish I wrote it...  |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
YOU ARE SO COOL!!!!!  you can tickle my toes with your rhymes anytime!!! So good to see that beautiful smiling face in here and to get to dance with you doing the rhyme scheme two step. Love this clever write of meter and cadence girlie...only a polished poet could play with her Da-dums in public ROFL  love ya Kit gator-girlie..glad you are feeling better. mothymeI remembering being one and the same ... |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Kit, You have created an epopee of poetry. Your clever mind has found the bind of meters paths of wind. And I for one are dunfound by the humor of your find. You have tapped this tree and found for me the sap that makes me tap. And I'm tapping now Da dum da dum it sounds to me like rap. So glad you are well and up to your young clever self. :sqyeeze: |
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Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
  YAY!!! Ooohhhhhh...you do have my head spinning now, but I like it! I am not huge on meter or iambic count but I do love experimenting with new formds and I know you are an inspiration to many as you are to me! (kiss on cheek) This is fabulous, sweet friend, we all love you so much, I'm adding this to my library! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Kit, thank you for sharing! May love and light alays shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton "Underneath your clothes there's an endless story..." |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
Kit: That was a lot to absorb but it was so delightfully presented. You definitely have some fine teaching qualities!! Just excellent writing!! |
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Startime Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918Canada |
STANDING OVATION!!!!MAGNIFICENT...I LOVE IT... |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Kit~ Tee-Hee ! I'm *grinning* and wondering just what 'procedure' you had done and where I can sign up !  What was that ? ... a poetmeterectomy ???? Love the clever, clever work of this ... I'ma thunking it's a keeper for sure~ *Hugs* ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
Kit my dearest friend this is utterly utterly brilliant, I laughed and laughed. Absolutely perfect writing as always, the flow and meter perfect no one ever writes as well as you do, and this as usual is spot on Krissy will love this particularly she adores your writing I love it too it’s absolutely utterly utterly perfect   Love and warm stuff As always Mushy  Breathe through the heat of our desire |
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SmartChick Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081On A Journey To The Unknown |
Wow! I really like this.I also like to try new forms. Thank you for this. |
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Madame Chipmunk Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296Michigan |
I loved this one, Kit... When they took out that kidney stone...I think they put some more poetry in instead.  Lyra |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Wow, Kit...you are amazing!! My mind would never fit in this, but then again I'm keeping it, just in case. |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
 Only problem is my feet, one's bigger than another, my da dum-ing really is off beat, big time, oh brother! LOL, I promise I will print and do my homework and da dum yet! And I bet Nan wishes she wrote this one, you are a darn good teacher, girlfriend! This was an awesome lesson (still waiting for Poetry For Dummies). Have a great trip! Just awesome! That's a print! ~* Tell someone in your family that you love them today *~ [This message has been edited by Mysteria (05-24-2002 03:08 PM).] |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Kit, this is absolutely brilliant! It should be required reading in every poetry class in the WORLD!!! Absolutely perfect. Some people may get the idea that it takes a little knowledge and planning to write decent rhymed poetry...and they will be right. You hit all the definitions and gave examples...it's all here. You are wonderful!! Gee, I go for seven feet, too. WHat a surprise |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
I've already mandated that she post this in the Workshop... and BEGGED her to let me use it when I'm teaching poetry... |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
 And today's lesson is..... ~* Tell someone in your family that you love them today *~ |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
I thoroughly enjoy playing with a womans feet...James |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I came to brush up on my da dum Maybe write a rhyme I could hum. After reading your little poem tonight I just left quietly in a stage of _ _ _ ght!  Good gravy, that is a lot like work! I think I will go twiddle my thumbs instead of playing with ma tootsies, thanks anyway. |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
Just me again, wanted this bumped up as I refer to it often, and mentioned it today as a reference. Thank you for your attention, please resume your positions. |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
I'm standing, clapping and trying to find matches for the candle at the same time...Lordy be gal, you do have a talent, Magnificent writing! |
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rachaelfuchsberger
since 2007-02-21
Posts 609Las Vegas, NV |
Wow...this is quite helpful. Thank you. And thank you to Balladeer for telling me of this! Arana Darkwolf |
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Bob K Member Elite
since 2007-11-03
Posts 4208 |
Dear Kit, Thank you. This was fun and I admire the playfulness and the skill of it. Bob Kaven |
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