feet - lengths*

Hi, Alessio—

Welcome to the ‘Sphere.
Thanks for sharing your response to my poem. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Metrically, the poem is all in tetrameter until the last stanza (mostly anapestic). Each line in stanzas 1-3 has four stressed syllables:

WHY is there SOME thing in STEAD of NO thing? (Headless iamb/anapest/anapest/amphibrach)
HOW did CON scious ness COME to BE, (Headless iamb/iamb/anapest/iamb)
since the AR row of TIME flies from OR der to CHA os. (Anapest/anapest/anapest/anapest + extramet syl)
and THINGS fall a PART due to EN tro PY?. (Iamb/anapest/anapest/iamb)

The anapestic rhythm gives the first three stanzas a galloping energy that runs down like a clock in the final stanza.

I’m looking forward to seeing some of your work soon, Alessio.

Glenn

Hi Glenn,


I'm so sorry. I feel embarrassed. It makes sense to me as to why I thought the pentameter was loose.. It wasn't even a pentameter!!! And for the first stanza in my comment, well, without going into specifics, I saw a scheme that wasn't there at all. :(

I rarely use other metrics apart from trochees and iambs, so in earnest words, I'm rather ignorant on the other forms and how to identify them. I'll keep in mind to be more attentive next time I read one of your works, as to not make this mistake again.

Thank you for correcting me, I appreciate it!

Best regards,

Alessio