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Meter Exercise: Iambic Tetrameter

Professor Park does not drink tea.
He never ever drinks caffeine.
Perhaps coffee would make him sick
Or bounce upon the city walls.
It could be quite a problem now
For me if he should trip or fall.
Avoiding caffeine almost helps
Professor fall asleep. But I
Still think that coffee’s worth the tire
Of never sleeping any winks.

Author notes

I am HORRIBLE with meter. I just don't get it. I understand it in Latin and Greek, but not English. So, here is my attempt at iambic tetrameter. I don't care about the rhyme or the subject or the grammar or anything that is not the meter. If there is something wrong with it, please explain to me what it is. I am taking the class on form now and it has helped a great deal, but I'm still very iffy as far as telling what has stress and what doesn't. Maybe it has something to do with being dyslexic This was written in class, by the way. But it was not Professor Park, it was Professor Eason. I don't think his name is in iambic tetrameter though. I could be wrong ><

* I have been kindly informed that the last line had only seven syllables by one of my favorite people on this site, Eusebius. I fixed it--I think it's still in iambic pentameter... >.>

Thoughts?

    I plan to revise this poem: please leave constructive criticism!
    : , Your review:

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Comments


  • Manda Kathryn Greeters member
    February 4

    Edit | Reply

    Winklings Reading List ~

    Interesting ~

    I do not think I've ever read a Meter poem before and I enjoyed this; it made me giggle a little that the Professor never drank coffee, I personally do not drink it either but I can't stand the smell or taste

    Great poem
    ♥
    Stay safe
    ~Manda


  • Wilma Winkie
    February 1

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    I'm with Margaret, it is a great way to practice. Tetrameter or pentameter is doesn't matter, as long as the iams are correct. And you've done a very good effort on your Iams indeed. I would have pointed out the same lines that were already.

    I don't know how it is explained in the other languages but the easiest terms in english are to think of a flat tire on a car going around. the sound it makes - ta Dum ta Dum ta Dum ta Dum- the stress is on the capitolized second syll.

    You can use your professors correct name if you change the line slightly at ending to something like:
    Professor Eason drinks no tea
    the stress:
    proFessor Eason Drinks no Tea

    I hope this was helpful

    Wishing you a fluttering quill
    to write your heart and thoughts at will!

    *tweet*



    • yukitosumi
      February 1
      Edit | Reply
      thanks for the helpful comment! I will go back to this and review with everyone's comments, I just haven't had a moment.
      Best,
      El


  • MargaretG
    January 28

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    This is a great way to practise, and you are completely right, nonsense verse is even better because we are not expecting ART.
    I am fairly good at reading meter, and came across a couple of ideas for you.
    line 3, instead of coffee, a cup
    line 7, caffeine - you changed the stress from the way you used it in line 2, which I thought was more usual. Perhaps coffee would be better here.
    Overall this is a very good effort in iambic tetrameter.
    I have given up coffee in the afternoon and evening because the buzz lasts after midnight.