anapestic meter

Anapestic meter is a rhythmic pattern in poetry composed of three syllables, where the first two are short or unstressed, followed by a longer, stressed syllable. Think of it as "da-da-DUM." This pattern creates a lively, bouncing rhythm often used in humorous or whimsical poetry, such as in certain nursery rhymes or narrative poems. For example, in the phrase "and the sound of a voice that is still," the emphasis falls on the last syllable of each three-syllable unit. Anapestic meter adds a musical, flowing quality to poetry, engaging the listener with its rhythmic momentum.