The Rhythmic Magic of Syllable Counting

Poetry with its rich tapestry and variety of words, have the ability to captivate and move us in very profound ways. One of the essential elements that contribute to the beauty and musicality of poetry is its rhythm. Syllable counting, a technique employed by poets across various cultures and eras, plays a vital role in creating a mesmerizing flow within a poem. I’ve been experimenting with this especially very much lately and I’ve been quite impressed with some of the rhythmic qualities and outcomes articulated. Thus in this blog we will explore the rhythmic effectiveness of syllable counting in poetry and how it enhances the overall flow, lending enchantment to the written word.

1. Establishing a Meter:

Syllable counting helps establish a meter, which is the underlying rhythmical pattern of a poem. By assigning a specific number of syllables to each line or stanza, poets create a consistent beat that guides the reader through the poem. Common meters include iambic pentameter (ten syllables per line with alternating stressed and unstressed syllables) and haiku (three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable pattern). This rhythmic structure enhances the flow and musicality of the poem.

2. Enhancing Musicality:

Syllable counting contributes to the musical quality of poetry. The deliberate arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables creates a natural ebb and flow, resembling the rise and fall of musical notes. When younger I used to be gripped by the melodies crafted into many of the works of Robert Burns. Syllable counting is a very alluring reason why I was captivated and inspired at an early age to poetry itself. This rhythmic interplay adds a melodic quality to the poem, engaging the reader's senses and creating a captivating auditory experience.

3. Controlling Pacing and Emphasis:

Syllable counting allows poets to control the pacing and emphasis within a poem. By varying the syllable count, poets can create a faster or slower tempo, influencing the reader's reading speed and breath. Shorter lines with fewer syllables may quicken the pace, while longer lines with more syllables can slow it down. This manipulation of rhythm adds depth and nuance to the poem, guiding the reader's emotional journey.

4. Achieving Poetic Balance:

Syllable counting helps achieve balance within a poem. By adhering to a specific syllable count, poets ensure that each line or stanza receives equal attention and contributes to the overall harmony of the composition. This balance aids in creating a sense of completeness and unity, allowing the poem to resonate with the reader on a profound level.

5. Enhancing Visual Aesthetics:

Syllable counting can also enhance the visual aesthetics of a poem. I have been finding this out more and more lately with my own compositions. Masterful poets often arrange their lines on the page in a deliberate manner, creating visual patterns that complement the rhythmic structure. The symmetrical placement of lines or the alignment of syllables can add to the overall beauty and impact of the poem, engaging the reader's visual senses alongside the auditory experience.

Syllable counting is a powerful technique that contributes to the rhythmic effectiveness and flow of poetry. By establishing a meter, enhancing musicality, controlling pacing and emphasis, achieving poetic balance, and enhancing visual aesthetics, syllable counting adds a layer of enchantment to the written word. Whether adhering to established poetic forms or experimenting with unique syllable patterns, poets can harness the magic of rhythm to create poems that resonate deeply with their readers. So, let the syllables dance and the words sing, for in the realm of poetry, the rhythmic flow holds the key to unlocking the beauty of language and I encourage everyone interested to give this handy technique a try. 

By: Brandon Adam Haven 

Photo by: Brandon Adam Haven 

Twisted pair challenge

A while back I gave my global teacher community a challenged called Twisted Pair. It was to encourage them to write creatively and stretch the imagination. The rule was simple: Choose two characters from history and/or popular culture (they could be real or fictional) and write a short story about their meeting and what might possibly happen. 

Here's the same challenge for all you poets: Choose yourself two characters and write a short poem about their meeting. It could be the most unlikely characters you could possible think of: King Henry VIII and Donald Duck. John Wayne and Batman ... how about Marilyn Monroe and the Phantom of the Opera? 

Here's my example: 

Bela Meets Nancy

When Bela Lugosi meet Nancy Pelosi 
He ask for a dancy cos she take his fancy
Lugosi drink rosè and soon he proposi
"I'm happily married to Pauly", says Nancy 
Then Bela Lugosi begin to get antsy
The ring on her finger is something he can't see
He all lost for words like the magic man Teller
Cos Nancy don't fancy a fella called Bela

Steve Wheeler © 18 November, 2023

The poem doesn't have to rhyme, and neither do the names! In my example the names to rhyme, and I've exploited that feature. Tag you poem #TwistedPair and let's see what we can all come up with! You can share it below in the comments section, on any Facebook poetry group pages, or anywhere else on the web. Let's see how far we can spread this challenge! 

Steve Wheeler

Image from Wikimedia Commons

 

Finding Your Performance Poetry Voice

When I used to read poems in college coffeehouses, I thought they should be read like a Shakespearian actor, with intense drama that demanded attention. “Foul wretched soul... BE GONE!”… Haha… I’ve come a long way (I hope)! Although this CAN give your words wings, overdoing it can work AGAINST you. This blog is about finding your performance poetry VOICE. 

Your voice as a performance poet carries just as much weight as the poem itself. It’s all that’s between you and the audience, providing the surface on which to drive your message. Your job is to keep it a smooth one. Here are a few important things to remember:

1.) Volume is important first of all. If they can’t hear you, distraction sets in. In public speaking this is known as projection… speaking to the back row and into the peanut gallery above. Let them know you are THERE… going with a soft tone for subtle poems or lines, getting loud for exclamation where it counts.

2.) Inflection follows… it sets the scene for words or phrases. The proper pronunciation is part of this… always being aware of the next word and the next emotion you intend to convey. Inflection, or emphasizing particular passages or words, packs the punch when you need it… or whispers vulnerability or sentiment.

3.) If you use accents, use them sparingly. You can instantly ruin a great reading by donning a fake accent! If properly used, they can be incorporated with great effect in conjunction with the message of the poem. Otherwise, try to avoid them. Be yourself! DO NOT GO OVER THE TOP… it’s a long fall over the edge of over-exuberance! Audiences sense inauthenticity.

4.) Breath is everything. Silence speaks following profound statements that you want to resound within the minds of those listening. A touch of quiet also allows you, as the performer,  to catch your breath and maintain a focus. Breaks are found in music. They are just as effective in poetry.

Volume. Inflection. Proper pronunciation. Tone. Accents. Breath. Breaks. Maintaining focus. These are all effective means to a successful end in taking your poetry on another level to an audience.

Did you enjoy this article? Can you add anything to it? I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think! Thank you for reading and should you get out there performing… shake a leg! Hey… it worked for Elvis…

Matt Elmore

Image from: Unsplash 

Tai Chi Poetry

As I was driving to work this morning, I heard a news story on National Public Radio about the benefits of using Tai Chi for those with dementia and minor memory loss. A study was taken where those using minor Tai Chi maneuvers while performing some small mental tasks improved their “cognitive score”.

This got me to thinking about what poetry can do to calm us. While I doubt anyone is going to be reading or writing poems while practicing some choice swanlike Tai Chi moves, I do know that poems do take me to a better place within my mind, leaving me feeling renewed. 

How is this possible, and by what poetic means could it do so?

A study incorporating poetry workshops in Cambridge and Las Vegas exhibited success in using poetry to deal with mental health issues, as well as loneliness. Sharing feelings developed a sense of community with those who participated. Some fear, anxiety, and stress was shown in the study to be lowered by the reading and writing of poems.

Other studies have also shown poetry to have alleviated pain intensity in cancer patients, improved memory, and helped children deal with emotions to cope with challenges.

Many use music for this purpose… playing classical music in nursing homes soothes troubled days. It has also been proven that music in the workplace increases productivity and morale. Poetry could be also be considered music without a voice or instruments, conveying feelings and emotions to cool one out on a bad day.

Poems about water, bird songs, sunsets, clouds, wooded areas, mountains, flowers, and various other aspects of nature seem to be effective in evoking peaceful imagery. Just as the sound of water is known to bring those anxiety levels down… words describing water can as well.

Fantasy poems can be relaxing. Just as the mind dreams in sleep of desires and comforts, so can words of poetry evoke similar calming illusions to bring satiation. Forests of fairy sprites, happenings in Celtic castles, a romantic rendezvous,… any of which can initiate some daydreaming to take it all down a notch. Is this not what some poetry does?

Do you think this is possible? Are there other forms of poetry that take you to that patient place of relaxation and escape? Perhaps even enhances your capacity to perform tasks better after having read them? 

I’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to leave any comments below and let’s talk about how poetry can bring you balance and clarity… without one Tai Chi lesson... or maybe having one would be a great idea after all….! Thank you for reading!

Matt Elmore

Image from: Unsplash 

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/11/06/1210507968/thai-chi-word-games-cognition-mentally-sharp-meditation-motion

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7447694/

https://medium.com/inspire-the-mind/the-therapeutic-power-of-poetry-whats-the-evidence-208fa59fe09b#:~:text=The%20study%20found%20reductions%20in,them%20reflect%20on%20their%20feelings.

Is Poetry Useful In Today's World?

 

How is poetry actually used today? Is it actually relevant, or has it gone the way of tap dancing or having the best yodel?

I believe there is a modern practicality to poetry that stands up to attention once given the proper salute. The poetic craft has become an often overlooked art in today’s society, not to mention entertainment. 

Let us consider the cream of the crop at the very top of acceptable integration of poetry within our modern days… greeting cards! Ah yes… to celebrate birthdays, personify graduations, elevate anniversaries, pay homage to holidays… open the card and therein lies the sentiment! Funny… serious… topical… cards run the gambit of tastes, as does the poetry within.

Tributes and eulogies often strike the same chords don’t they? Honoring one that has aspired to particularly exuberant greatness deserving of particular praise, or even just a loved one that has touched many before passing… poetry dresses the naked truth. Many truths are not hard to accept… yet beautiful words can soften the blow.

I’ve walked many a cemetery behind churches reading old epitaphs etched into broken tombstones. I did this not out of morbid curiosity, but out of an endearing respect for the dead and calm about the grounds. I still seek words that may provide some insight as to who those souls were besides the usual names and dates… though I’ve often found the same phrases on different stones, picked out of a marble chiselers book of hungry bards!

Political speeches have been known to wax poetic idealisms and poignant commonalities, garnering enough sentiment to stir the hearts of the people,… or to even consecrate an occasion. Lincoln’s Gettysburg address remains every bit as timeless and touching to me as the most profound verse.

Performance Poetry stands out as something that is not so well known, but equally as relevant. There are a number of bards that excel at explosive expositions that are not only noteworthy both comically and tragically, but also extremely entertaining as well. Music deserves a note here as well… many poetic songwriters out there today influencing how we think. Radio jingles  jangle advertising in our ear often with catchy phrases or rhymes that reflect creative flows. I’ve seen inner city murals with bits of thoughts that contain amazing poetry that inspire thought just passing by…

Finally… there’s the old books of literature grandpa and grandma hold dear… and some young folks too! Those masters whose words live on in poetry classes from sea to resilient sea… whose works shall never go quietly into the night. When we hear their words… we celebrate next level authors in our hearts… living or otherwise…

Yes… there is a NEED FOR POETRY today that deserves a salute! Have you ever written any of the above? Maybe you have another practical use I haven’t covered? I would love to hear from you. Feel free to share your comments below and thank you for reading! 

Matt Elmore 

Why are you here?

Several people have recently voiced their disappointment at not being noticed on Invisible Poets poetry group. 

This is quite ironic. We are Invisible Poets and we can be invisible. Most poets usually are! When I originally named this group I did so because it has become a universal rite of passage for just about every poet I have ever known. You start off in obscurity and continue that way until either someone with some clout notices you, or you begin to gain some acknowledgement from your peers. And for many, that never happens. You remain invisible. 

So we all have to ask ourselves the question: why are we here? Why do we join poetry groups, and why do we share our poems on Facebook groups, if very few people ever acknowledge, like or comment on our work? To answer that question, perhaps we should all ask ourselves an even more fundamental question: why do we write poetry?

Your answer to that question will be different to mine. We are all unique individuals and our motivation will be just as varied as our personalities. But deep down inside, I think that most of us write poetry because it is an outlet for our ability to infuse words with emotion and meaning. I know that when I write poetry, it is often because I have an idea or a thought that I want to crystallise in words. Sharing it with others is a secondary thing. I have many poets that not even my closest friends or family have ever seen. Perhaps they never will. Such poems are from the deepest recesses of my heart and mind, and perhaps it's better that they were never seen or read by anyone else. 

But when I share a poem (and many of my best ones are never shared!) on a Facebook group, my anticipation is that I will get some feedback from my peers, even if it is a simple 'like'. When this doesn't happen, it can be soul destroying, especially for those individuals who might be a little fragile at the time. Does feedback really matter? For many it really does. 

Perhaps feedback, acknowledgement, recognition is vital for you. So, when it doesn't happen for whatever reason, how do you cope? What is your strategy?  Do you go off into a dark corner and curse, weep and moan? Or do you pick yourself up and go and write a better poem? 

If you're simply posting poetry because you want to express yourself and aren't too bothered whether others read your work or not, then stop reading now.

For those who crave a little more attention for their poetry, here's something to ponder: 

On Facebook one of the main reasons people may not notice your poetry is because they haven't see it. It doesn't appear on their timeline as they scroll through posts. This is usually because you haven't engaged much with other people's posts. Facebook algorithms are designed to encourage social interaction. The more you comment and like other people's poetry, the more likely they are to see you posts coming up in their timelines. 

So next time you feel ignored on a Facebook poetry group, think about commenting on, and liking a few other people's posts. If you regularly do this and build up connections with others in the group, you'll soon begin to see them offering you comments and likes on your posts too.

Steve Wheeler

Image source

Poetic devices 15: Paradox

Life is complex and full of contradictions. As poets, we try to represent life in all its complexity and we can call upon an extraordinarily diverse range of devices to achieve their goals. One of the least understood, but perhaps most appropriate devices to illustrate our complex and contradictory lives is paradox. The poet can create tension that represents turmoil, confusion and even hypocrisy. Take the example of the line by William Shakespeare in Hamlet 'I must be cruel only to be kind.' It's a paradox. 

Paradox should not be confused with oxymoron. An oxymoron commonly uses just two word to create a contradiction - bitter sweet, awfully good, police intelligence (the last one is a joke, don't @ me). A paradox, by comparison can take up a full sentence or even an entire stanza. The following example by English romantic poet William Wordsworth is a great example of paradox:

my heart leaps up when I behold
a rainbow in the sky:
so was it when my life began;
so is it now I am a man;
so be it when I shall grow old,
or let me die!
the child is father of the man;
and I could wish my days to be
bound each to each by natural piety

The line 'the child is father of the man' is clearly paradoxical, but interestingly is a profound statement about how childhood shapes character in later life. It was so deep that Sigmund Freud stole the idea and used it to develop his philosophy in the development of psychotherapy. 

Paradox is not easy to achieve, but if you can do it, it's a neat yet effective way to add some depth to your poetry, so have a try!

Steve Wheeler

Image source

Previous posts in this series

1. Simile
2. Metaphor
3. Repetition and refrains
4. Alliteration
5. Assonance
6. End Rhymes
7. Internal Rhymes
8. Rhythm and Tempo
9. Enjambment

10. Allegory

11. Metonymy

12. Cacophony

13. Calligram

14. Personification

Poison pens

They say everyone's a critic... and we each certainly have strong opinions, especially about poetry. 

There are many ways to analyse, critique and appreciate poetry. On Invisible Poets and other groups I administer, I have observed two main ways people regularly use. 

The first has the potential to be quite superficial. It's where the reader makes remarks about the content or topic of the poem. They tend to ignore the artistry or form of the poetry and comment directly about the topic. 'I don't believe in this kind of thing!' or 'I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this..' The flaw is that the reader may assume the poet is writing about their personal experience or problems - which may well be the case - but may just as easily be fiction. I remember once writing a poem about the tragic loss of a loved one, and receiving several condolence messages. 

The poem was pure fiction. 

I was attempting to place myself, the poet, into the emotional shoes of someone who was grieving. Now, it was kind of those who offered consolation, because it showed they were empathetic. But by being taken up by the content, each had missed the mark, ignoring the artistry of my rhyme scheme and rhythmic cadence, which I had toiled with for some time, so it was very frustrating for me!

Another flaw with the content analysis approach can be found in the attitude of the reader/commenter. If they are antagonistic to the message they may even try to counteract it with an opinion of their own.  They will have been triggered, and they may then respond harshly and critically. You've all seen people do this! It can cause hurt, offence and discouragement, but as many would tell you... such remarks tell you more about the person making the comments than they do about the poet. Publicly, it makes them look ignorant or deliberately antagonistic. 

Clearly, remarking on content can be unhelpful, especially if the comment is an attack on the poet's beliefs or values. The commenter ends up either missing the point or attacking the person instead of objectively evaluating their poem. 

The alternative, (and for me, more constructive) method of response is to remark on the form of the poem rather than focus solely on its content or theme. Does the poem flow with a good tempo? Does the poet use metaphors, similes or other literary devices to enhance the poem? Has a specific rhyme scheme or poetic form such as a sonnet or villanelle been employed? Does the poem inspire or challenge the reader by the way they write? These and other questions are much deeper and more meaningful than simply commenting on, or criticising the theme or topic of the poem. 

Ultimately, both ways - form and content analysis - can be valid if written with kindness. Go ahead and comment on the poetry of others, either about its content or form, but do make sure it's constructive, relevant, meaningful and avoids rudeness and your own biased opinions. Think before you write a comment and then think again before you post it. 

Don't be triggered by content. Throw away the poisoned pen and comment with kindness. Move beyond your own biases and enjoy poetry for its form and beauty.

Steve Wheeler 

Image source

A Review Of “Beyond The Pyre”

There is a purpose that burns within us all… a fire that longs for expression and validity. At times it burns without even being identified,… a longing, existing to redeem sufferings into something new and precious as life itself.  This refinement burns brightly within an incineary collection of poems by Imelda Garcia entitled “Beyond The Pyre”, published by Wheelsong Books.

Imelda possesses an exuberant edge that sets her apart from everyday authors. A poet in every sense of the word, she is able to extrapolate images out of emotions… weave stories out of feelings, and discern truths out of deception.

Her topics maneuver between the diverse and the divine. She is no one trick pony, touching upon such hot button subjects as climate change, war, poverty, racism, women’s rights, and child advocacy. She also celebrates her Latino background exquisitely through the eyes of an endlessly expressive spirit. Imelda is bold, and writes with a distinct expression that gives every poem her signature. 

Her years of experience with tragedy and celebrations as a mother come to life in such poems as “Momma Doesn’t Want”, “Bolt” and “Woman Of Wonder”, in which she elegantly celebrates her daughter. She delicately touches upon childbirth and the ups and downs of motherhood here in “Womb”: 

“mothers sow seeds from the womb

tend then watch seedlings grow 

nurturing throughout life’s expanse 

often while consumed with sorrow”

The spiritual  aspects of her poetic voice are also evident in selections with such enthralling  titles as “What If God’s Not One Of Us”, “Untouchables”, “Rock Of My Altar”, and “Oh J.C.!” In “I Thirst” she passionately petitions to us all to become aware of our own precious redeeming vulnerabilities by addressing her own:

“I and mine call on your humanity

though He might have said it first

look to your souls, you’ll see

I am a human being, and I thirst”

Able to cover so many subjects, she ducks and dodges jabs of the mundane like a skilled prize fighter, unafraid to challenge any metaphor. She dances with death in poems like “Above Crosses” or “Forbidden Fruit”, and even explores the cosmos itself with titles like “Celestial”, “Of Stardust” and “Ethereal”.

Her love poems soar as she professes a most solid adoration for her beloved husband. Balancing between heavenly and earthly desires, Garcia knows romance where it comes to for better or for worse, or as she would describe it, “… to go for gold and failed to fall”, a fine line from “In Heaven”. From passion to endearing forever love beyond the physical, she does not fail to deliver.

Her dedication to poetry is evident in offerings like “La Poeta”, “On The Swing”, and the following excerpt from “Abstract Stamp”:

“…The art I now create for prosperity 

Are words, I hope with clarity

Impress upon future review

My definition of my view

Having shared on podium stalls

On stage, in schools, library halls

I try to stamp a liberal mark

On countless minds who hear my spark” 

No one writes quite like Imelda Garcia. Her use of short staccato phrasings, set with a lush use of metaphors, paints a mosaic of meaningful word murals that are both enjoyable to read and practical to interpret.

“Beyond The Pyre” is exactly that… a white hot refinement beyond our earthly reality into an understanding of illuminating truths, both profound and utterly beautiful. 

Matt Elmore

Available now on Amazon

Beyond the Pyre
https://a.co/d/5vlnfqY