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OP This renders the poem’s structure as more straightforwardly iambic throughout. You will
remember far better than I what the term for the repetition of ‘so many’ is in the gentle
arts of rhetoric! But the poem’s main punch is delivered by the short last line: only 6
syllables rather than the eight we expect from the rhythm of the preceding lines. This
creates a subconscious “boom-boom” effect in our minds that underscores her conclusion
point; it also formally mimics the idea that her suggestion is one of more elegance and
simplicity than the longer alternative routes mentioned earlier.
Having said all that, I must confess I don’t particularly like it as a poem – too painfully
close to a Hallmark card
Ah, let us rejoice in our diversity.
I agree! It's not much of a poem but it's the structure which I found interesting. The last line adds a certain air of despondency by reducing the meter by two syllables. W.H. Auden in his poem Stop all the Clocks uses this to effect when he wrote:
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.
The last line is the longest in terms of words and syllables but the poems tempo is altered radically by splitting the line and halting the rhythm.
This is powerful stuff and not a sniff of Hallmark to be had!
But great topic, Rubrick – stick around this time!
Thanks, Mav. I think I will!!
Entire Thread Subject Posted By Posted Reversed Verse? Rubrick 01/28/02 12:57 PM Re: Reversed Verse? AnnaStrophic 01/28/02 01:40 PM Re: Reversed Verse? Anonymous 01/28/02 03:34 PM Stunned Rubrick 01/28/02 03:48 PM Re: Stunned wwh 01/28/02 08:42 PM Re: Stunned maverick 01/29/02 12:55 PM Meter made Rubrick 01/29/02 01:27 PM . Max Quordlepleen 01/29/02 07:09 PM footing the Bill =) maverick 01/30/02 12:55 AM Re: Meter made maverick 01/30/02 01:30 AM . Max Quordlepleen 01/30/02 01:37 AM Re: Meter made wwh 01/31/02 06:05 PM Re: Reversed verse? slithy toves 02/03/02 12:52 AM Re: Reversed verse? Faldage 02/03/02 01:49 AM Re: Wilcox Bobyoungbalt 01/30/02 04:18 AM The poetic value Bryan Hayward 01/31/02 05:55 PM
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