What is an Amphibrach?

Amphibrach - not to be confused with a small amphibious creature, but rather a metrical foot consisting of a stressed syllable between two unstressed syllables. It's a versatile tool for poets and writers who want to play with the rhythm of their works. In fact, it can be found in everything from limericks to classic poetry. Take for example the opening line of Andrew Marvell's To His Coy Mistress:

Had we but world enough and time,

This coyness, lady, were no crime.

You can see how the amphibrach adds to the lilting rhythm of the poem. It's also great for creating a more upbeat and playful tone in writing. Consider this example from Dr. Seuss' Oh, the Places You'll Go!:

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

The amphibrachs found in these lines help set the bouncy, adventurous feeling of the classic children's book. So next time you want to play with the rhythm of your writing, try incorporating some amphibrachs for a fun and versatile effect!