Optional Background
for Annie’s Meter Classes
A Thought
Things to Think About/Do
- What are some of your earliest metrical memories? These could be poems or songs that you heard, but they could also be rhythmical phrases that were spoken to you, repeatedly or perhaps only once. Sometimes these are traumatic phrases. Or they might be phrases, words, names, etc. whose rhythm caught your attention. Try writing a list of these, say them aloud, meditate on what they meant to you and what they mean to you now.
- Choose a poem that you love that you know is in meter. Read it aloud three times. Notice the difference between reading it the first, second, adn third time.
- Choose a metrical memory or a poem whose meter is compelling to you. Mark the meter down however you like. Then make up at least 3 lines in the sexact ame meter as the original line. Doublecheck that every syllable matches. Read it aloud three times. Enjoy!
Books
Measure for Measure: An Anthology of Poetic Meters
How to Scan a Poem: A Poetry Witch Workbook
A Poet’s Ear: A Handbook of Meter and Form (or A Poet’s Craft, which includes everything in A Poet’s Ear plus a lot more).
Online Community
Poetry Witchery Blog
https://anniefinch.substack.com/
Final Thought
Underlying all of meter’s aspects is openness to channeling energies larger than ourselves. Before the class, I invite you to practice staying open to yourself, kind to yourself, and curious about yourself. This will help open the way for the meters.
Yours in the Magic,
Annie