Sapphic Verse

Sapphic verse is a poetic form originating from ancient Greece, attributed to the poet Sappho. It consists of a specific pattern of lines with a fixed syllabic structure: a three-line stanza called a "strophe" or "sapphic stanza," typically composed of three lines of eleven syllables each, followed by a shorter one of five syllables called the "Adonic." The form is characterized by its musical rhythm and can evoke deep emotion or admiration. While historically associated with themes of love and beauty, its primary significance lies in its distinctive metrical pattern used across classical lyric poetry.