Thanks for salvaging that interesting discussion, John. I certainly learned something in the course of it -- from Tim Murphy, Bob Mezey, and others. In practice, however, I still find six or seven types of metric foot (eight at most) adequate for every purpose. Phrases and strains take care of themselves.
Reverting to the original topic of this thread, I think the preponderance of opinion here is that a real distinction obtains between "metre" and "rhythm" which needs to be observed, at least in a rudimentary way, in critiquing poems posted on the Metrical Poetry and Deep End boards, and I still think a good many participants do not understand that distinction, which limits the efficiency as well as the usefulness of the whole process.
But consumption be done about it? We hope so.
G
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