In addendum to my prior post, I feel that I need to explain a little more about dactylic hexameter. First of all, so I'm not seen as completely stupid, I understand completely the example that I gave before of strawberry, strawberry, strawberry, strawberry, strawberry, jam pot. What I should have said however, is that I didn't get the rest of the examples that they provided. So, for the three people that are reading, I decided that it is time for you to play along at home. The following examples are in dactylic meter, not hexameter. So you are looking three syllable "feet" with the accent on the first syllable. Three of the following sentences are in dactylic meter. Feel free to place your guesses in the comment section to show off the depths of your wisdom and to humiliate me. Enjoy!
1. In Xanadu did Kubla Khan.
2. Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary.
3. This is the forest primeval. The murmuring pines and the hemlocks.
4. Look on my works, ye mighty and despair.
5. The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day.
6. The nox was lit by lux of luna and twas a nox most opportuna.
7. Leaped like the roe, when he hears in the woodland...
8. The sea was wet as wet could be, the sands were dry as dry.
9. When voices of children are heard on the green.
10. Speaks, and in accents disconsolate answers...
A La Carte (November 21)
1 day ago
3 comments:
Man, I've /never/ been good at figuring out meter.
3, 7, and 10 are dactylic.
What do I win?
Also, one must be careful when writing in meters. A fractured foot in poetry is called a "torn foot". Care is especially crucial when writing in dactylic meter because no one wants to (oh, yes, here it comes) tear a dactyl foot.
Mup,
I'm with you. Though I seem to be on the cusp of getting it. I don't hold to any high hopes though for I am sure that I won't. Now haiku's, that's a different matter.
Dave,
Thanks for dropping by. You rock. I feel there should be flashing lights and sirens for your correct identification. Of course I am such a Neanderthal when it comes to computers that I don't know how. Also, since I am a Neanderthal, I would argue that the pterodactyl foot is actually the best part with lots of arguing over who would get it. Kinda like a drumstick. Beautiful setup on that one, very funny.
On a side note, I am reminded of you from time to time when I am working in my shop. A few years ago I bought a lot of wood from a guy in Watertown. I also bought some universal cabinets and stuff from him that I put in my shop. I discovered as I was paying him and we were finishing up business that he is your uncle. Small world sometimes.
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