Meter-Made Moods—dVerse Meeting the Bar
Anyone who has joined me on Goodreads knows that I’m a bit of an addictive reader—the kind that has five or so books on the “Currently Reading” list. This is because I scatter books throughout the house in strategic locations—the kind that can be read in short spurts—for example, during a muted TV ad or, yes, where many of you might keep magazines. One of these is a re-read of Mary Oliver’s “A Poetry Handbook”—a guide for beginners (that’s all of us) on understanding and writing poetry. This week I read a short blurb about meter and mood.
Careful reading of Oliver’s poetry allows us to see how, although she writes free verse for the most part, knowledge of rhythm and meter infiltrate her work. Reading a poem aloud helps to give a sense of this. Even prose is subject to the flow of meter.
But what has struck me in this re-read that I either didn’t catch the first time around, or totally forgot, is how meter contributes to the mood of a poem. Let’s look for examples.
Pentameter most nearly matches the breath capacity of the English-speaker making it the line most often free of special effect. There is no pressure, allowing a full phrase. This makes it the norm.
Any deviation from this neutral form emits messages. Lines shorter than pentameter create excitement—psychic and physical tension. They make the reader sit up and take notice.
Tetrameter can create agitation or vivacity depending on the topic and how we treat it. Detailed description can slow it down a bit, while skipping from action to action can leave the reader out of breath.
On the other side of the equation, six-foot lines become ponderous, suggesting power, endurance, grandiosity. Whitman and Ginsburg often turned to longer lines, the hexameter.
Another tool we can use to create mood is to alter meter. You will find good example of this in the poetry of Emily Dickinson who alternated tetrameter and trimeter to create the intensity and urgency that is characteristic of her verse.
Here’s a quick review of the more common meters—that is, lines containing feet or stressed syllables:
• dimeter: 2 feet per line (haste, joy, terror, anger)
• trimeter: 3 feet per line (gaiety, joy, fear, urgency, intensity)
• tetrameter: 4 feet per line (much like trimester, but with a bit less intensity)
• pentameter: 5 feet per line (normal, calm, serene)
• hexameter: 6 feet per line (gravity, mourning, prophecy, power)
(The suggestions are mine—choose what you think will work best. Adding or subtracting a foot should increase or decrease intensity of the emotion you want to create)
For today’s prompt, I would like you to
• think of a topic and the accompanying mood you would like to create
• choose the meter(s) you believe will help you to achieve that mood.
• write a poem using your chosen topic and meter.
You may use rhyme or not; you may alter the meter between lines or use the same meter throughout. Don’t speak to the mood you have intended to create—instead, wait to see if recognition of that mood will pop out in the comments.
To join in:
• Write your poem and post it on your site.
• Copy and paste the direct URL to your poem in Mr. Linky at the bottom of this post.
• Return to the pub to read and comment on the poetry of your fellow poets. It’s important to us that you take the time to become a part of the community through your comments.
• Let’s try to involve more poets by providing a link to this site in your post and promoting it on social media that you participate in.
Victoria, here, your hostess for today, leaving you with an example you may recognize by Shelley, who mixed up his meter to create a tone of sadness and regret:
A Lament
Percy Bysshe Shelley
O world! O life! O time!
On whose last steps I climb,
Trembling at that where I had stood before;
When will return the glory of your prime?
No more Oh, never more!
Out of the day and night
A joy has taken flight;
Fresh spring, and summer, and winter hoar,
Move my faint heart with grief, but with delight
No more Oh, never more!
I look forward to reading your work and your comments as a way of understanding the relationship between meter and mood.
Greetings, fellow poets. I hope you will give this a try. Don’t worry about strict meter or form, just try to get a rhythm that creates a mood. And have fun letting your readers guess in comments. I’ll be around to read by and by.
I love meter… to me anyone writing poetry does it…
So true–often without being aware. I find that even in writing prose/fiction, I need to get a feel for the flow. Maybe that’s where my no abandoned music background comes in.
I love to play with meter… somehow it always comes out in meter, so much you can do with mood… I might write a second in some consistent meter instead of letting it vary…
And my hope is, that in-between reading, I will take and old poem and switch up the meter a bit…alternate.
Meter is not my strong point but I tried anyway Victoria.
Thanks for broadening our appreciation of poetry.
Happy Thursday everyone.
I think you use meter without being aware of it, Grace. It goes beyond strict counting. The flow in your poems shows this. By writing conscious, strict meter from time-to-time, it gradually infiltrates your free verse.
So happy to see this prompt today! I’ve been thinking about studying forms again. I’ve got some chores to do this afternoon, but I’d love to join you. How long will Mr. Linky be open?
So happy to see this prompt today! I’ve been thinking about studying forms again. I’ve got some chores to do this afternoon, but I’d love to join you. How long will Mr. Linky be open?
It’s open for 72 hours (I think). That should give you plenty of time and I will look forward to reading your poem, Linda.
Thanks Victoria, see you out there!
I’m early in posting for once, yeah! I love this challenge but for me it’s an easy one as I use meter in most of my work whether it rhymes or not. Lyrics are a good example because music uses meter.
I just wrote for Poets United so I’m linking I Watch today. It uses meter and has 2 recurring lines in it. I’ll be around to read everyone’s takes real soon.
The weather here has been very unsummer-like. The coming weekend promises change so I’m keeping my fingers crossed for warmer weather. I’m about to go riding and at least the wind has died down. Have a nice Fax Friday!
Hugs! Bekkie
So glad you’re here–and thanks lots for sending your weather to us over the mountain. So windy. And a wild fire (near us), power outage yesterday.
Be careful!
Staying inside! I think they controlled the fire…no smoke.
Take care, Victoria, and thanks for hosting!
Thank you, Dr. Crystal.
Oh dear! Stay safe….can you see the haze? Smell the smoke? That can be frightening and threatening. Be careful my friend.
I can’t and it’s not far away–maybe 2 miles–but I think they contained it during the night…in spite of horrendus winds.
Thank goodness!
I re-posted an old one – my brain is a little tired tonight! But thank you for taking me down the route of ‘oh, I have this poem that will work and it’s about my brother and he’s just come back from another stint working on a cruise ship’…
Old ones are good. I just took one from 2012 and played with the meter a bit.
As one who occasionally does cruises, we forget that there are those who view cruises as hard work. Many thanks to your brother and those who make our cruises comfortable and serene.
Ah, thank you Lillian, that’s very kind of you.
I’m posted but not happy. I rarely use any meter because of my writing with Japanese poetic forms which do not rely on meter. I tried Victoria. I’ll come back later to read and comment. Thank you for hosting Victoria! Your poem as always was exceptional.
I love it that you went out of your comfort zone and I know I will enjoy it–as I always do your work, Toni.
Yes, I did go out of my comfort zone…but I am back in it with bells on!
Off to grab some lunch–I’ll be back soon.
Rats! I grabbed the wrong poem to post. I have to quit posting from my phone! Or get thinner fingers! If you want to remove it Victoria, feel free.
Which poem did you intend to post Walt? We can change it in Mr. Linky.
Thanks, Grace.
After further review, we’ve determined the poem offered does indeed fit the criteria for the promo. Metered and message (mood) included. Thanks Victoria.
I would have thought you wrote it specifically to the prompt, Walt.
Hey everyone,
Hope you are having an amazing day so far 🙂 sharing my poem “Let go.” Hope you all like it. I must admit meter gives me the shivers.. but thought to give it a try.
Thank you for the wonderful opportunity Victoria ❤
Hope I got it right?!
Lots of love,
Sanaa
Meter is everywhere. It’s just rhythm, really, and everything has one. It’s just that here, we’re looking at noticeable, maybe more obvious rhythms, I think. 🙂
I think so too 🙂
You write meter all the time, Sanaa–unawares. Like Dr. C said.
I guess so ❤ hope you like the poem..
I did!
Hi all, any strong, hot coffee on this cold day? That’s right, cold and rainy. Had to hurry inside with the weaving supplies when the pouring started. I thought I lived in the northern hemisphere, but now I’m not so sure. Rustled up a Limerick for your enjoyment, while digging out jeans and a sweatshirt. Hope you’re comfortable, wherever you are!
I’m smiling already. Limericks are so fun.
And hot coffee coming up. I’d add brandy but I suspect from your blog you may eschew that.
Okay — late to the pub today. As I mentioned in my post, this was a challenge for me. Yes — I understand inherent rhythm as I always read my first drafts aloud, then edit edit edit til it sounds right too and I expect that’s the inherent “rhythm” in me. But — when I read about meter it mentions stressed syllables so I found myself writing and bolding the stressed syllables to insure I had it right. A real challenge and a learning experience! dVerse seems to always stretch me — and for that I am thankful.
AND Victoria, LOVE the cartoon! You are the perfect meter maid! 🙂
PS: late because I was over to the doc today — seems I still have a hangover from our wonderful 2 months in Bermuda — severely sprained ankle on March 8 while hiking there — and the darned thing is still swollen and giving me problems. I am not sporting a lovely “air boot” — so stylish! And will get an MRI tomorrow night — tip your glass and toast me folks — wishing for an MRI that says all I need is PT. This lady likes to dance!! 🙂
Oh geez. Hope things turn out all right. I’ve had a doctor/upper respiratory kind of week myself. Starting PT tomorrow–I’ll be thinking of you, Lillian! And I’m glad you liked the cartoon.
Sorry to hear this, Lillian. That’s a long time to have a sprained ankle. Many years ago I hobbled around on a sore foot thinking I had sprained it but turns out I had fractured it. It took me wearing one of those fashionable boots for weeks to get it healed. Take care. 🙂
Hi all and thank you Victoria for scaring me to death with instruction on meter! 🙂 I chose a chain/link form of poetry to get some meter in there ( I have no idea what type) and set a mood. I went with the mood that I was in already which was fright! Haha…I’m kidding…but not much really…
Oh, and Victoria, I’m very sorry to hear that you’ve been so ill this week. I hope you feel better soon!
How fun. Sorry to be late getting back to the pub–had to watch the Warriors lose to the Cavs. :0( Looking forward to reading yours, Gayle. And thanks for your concern.
Hi Victoria and all you poets gathered in the pub! What a great challenge. I was all set to try out different metres but I kind of got hung up on a particular mood. This evening I will be attending a talk about Norfolk Wherrymen in a village not too far from me, at which an anthology of poetry, prose and illustrations will be launched (inspired by the River Bure in Norfolk), in which a story and poem of mine are featured. I started to think about Norfolk wherries and the men who sailed them on the Norfolk Broads… and a poem was born. I hope it’s not too nostalgic or twee. Once I’ve posted, I’ll have a quick look at everyone’s work before going for an hour’s reading with five and six-year-olds.
Wonderful opportunity for you, Kim, and I look forward to reading your poem next.
Honestly, meter and feet and stressed, stress me out! I will attempt this though so pray for me!
I suspect you will have no problem, Carol, and my prayer will have to be retroactive since I’m on the far side of that continent across the pond from you.
Hahaha! Okay . Perhaps in the prayer realm we are all in the exact same moment!
Most likely since time is a human construct.
🙂
I’m relieved to hear other poets have similar issues regarding meter. I don’t have the faintest idea, not yet, of what it all means and am not going to try this time. I have files and files of the ‘how to’ of it on my computer but have been far too intimidated to try it out. I am, in fact, still stuck on Lillian’s prompt about the scuptures.
You are not alone, Petru.
Yippie!
Hey, guys (generically speaking)! Remember, whatever doesn’t kill us makes us better. I usually say “bitter and jaded” (copywrite 1984 Charley), but I’m going to be serious for a moment. Deep breath. I NEVER learned how to determine which syllable of a word has the accent (and have never figured out fully the pronunciation guide in a dictionary) — I’ve failed Algebra at least twice, but that’s another story. This prompt was awesome. I mean, sure, when I first read it I cried, I paced, I hyperventilated. But, when the going gets rough, the poets drink… right? Anyway, I bit the bullet — I keep a few rounds in my nightstand to scare off burglars — and I began. It was hard to communicate with my wife with the bullet in my mouth. She helped me with the task of determining the “feet” placement. It was a real, poetic exercise. It is a wonderful prompt. All aspiring poets should give it a go… even if you don’t post. Think of it along the lines of playing Gaspard de la nuit by Maurice Ravel, pitching a no-hitter in the big leagues, or winning the mountainous section of le Tour de France; you may or may not accomplish that (I certainly am no serious threat to Shakespeare’s standing with my sonnet), but you don’t reach the stars by aiming your rocket ship… well, you get it!
This is so good, Charley. Made me smile ear-to-ear and wish I’d had it to put in the prompt. As an aside, I had to re-learn algebra so many times in my education process which, except for grad school, was before we could even use calculators. When I took physics, the first class the prof filled the blackboard with an equation and I cried. Can you imagine Bjorn–a physicist AND a poet?
Now imagine me… once a meteorologist! I’m glad I could be of service to the prompt and to you! Too many whiners amongst these poets, I vow.
What a clever, challenging prompt, Victoria. I amb forever all things -ameter challenged, and have always, always had tripsy-doodle feet. Perhaps I have syllabled my way through this, though. I do love breathing in syllables.
This week’s been crazy (when did summer get so busy? Oh, that’s right, I have teenagers now…) I am drive-by posting for now (and late to the party at that), but will be back later today to read. Meter on, my poetic friends.
OMG, the comments are as entertaining as the poetry. Everyone hating on it and then writing superb meter. I’m lovin’ it.
OMG!!! I am JUST now catching up with all this chitter chatter at the bar and I have been laughing so hard I have tears coming down my face! From the tipsy doodle feet to biting the bullet and being driven to drink. We are a hilarious bunch!!! I LOVE this about dVerse! 🙂 Victoria — thanks for the GREAT prompt that got us all atwitter here — nothing like shaking it up a bit. I am soon to go over for the MRI on my ankle but shall pour a glass of chardonnay tonight (or two) and get to my reading. I’ll be doing it with a smile on my face. Such a fun group — how I wish we could all meet at a real bar someplace — we’d be sipping (Shirley Temples for those who do not imbibe spirits) and laughing ourselves silly. Really! If you haven’t read all the posts right here at the bar — take a go. It’ll make your day! A running stream-of-conscious conversational diatribe about meter, stressed feet (not my ankle) and many chuckles! 🙂
Wouldn’t that be great to be able to really get together? This is such a fun group of people and the comments, as I mentioned to De, are as entertaining as the poem. Any results from your MRI yet.
Yes — I truly was laughing out loud, reading to my husband etc! 🙂 Just back from the MRI — will get results on Monday. In the meantime, I’ve been told to wear this lovely “air boot” which only fits with my sneakers. I’m praying it will show all I need is PT! Yes, I know it will say all I need is PT!
Think positive thoughts, my friend. Wearing sneakers all the time–preparing you for old age. I hate to have to wear any other kinds of shoes anymore. PT is good.
I had to move from my crazy meter in my first to my comfort zone of iambic pentameter… it does set a nice mood actually…
I like iambic pentameter, too. I think in it, I think I do, I think!
A (Sort of) Sincere Apology
Apologize, they say—(I do)
for giving all this stress to you.
But see how well you meterized!
And I can’t say that I’m surprised.
The talent of you folks, I know,
shows in your poems’ soothing flow.
And those of you who stayed away,
I’ll get you on another day!
SMILING I AM! 🙂
Yoda you are?
That’s good!
I had to add another poem today! I am slowly reading and I love the poems this prompt is bringing forth! I know it’s late but I wanted to add a rhyming poem too because that’s where meter is strongest. I prefer poems I read to have meter in them, I think it makes for the most enjoyable poetry! Everyone is doing such a great job!
Going biking now, it’s Saturday and really nice out. Hugs!
Bekkie
Off to read now. Have fun, Bekkie.
I always have fun biking and I did thanks!