What is a Dimeter?
A line of poetry consisting of two metrical feet.
Double the Fun: A Look at Dimeter in Poetry
If you're looking for brevity in your poetry, dimeter might just be your perfect fit. This metrical form consists of a line of verse containing two metrical feet. Essentially, it's a poetic line made up of two rhythmic units.
Dimeter can be found in a variety of poetic forms, from sonnets to song lyrics to free verse. It's a versatile form that allows poets to experiment with varied rhythms and meters while keeping the structure of the poem intact.
While writing in dimeter can be a fun challenge for poets, it's important to keep in mind the impact that choosing this meter can have on the overall tone and message of the poem. The shorter, more clipped lines can lend a sense of urgency or even playfulness to the language, while longer, more drawn-out lines can create a sense of contemplation or melancholy. As with any poetic form, the key is to experiment and find the rhythm that works best for your particular poem.
Dimeter is a versatile poetic form used throughout literature, from Shakespeare and Milton to contemporary poets.
Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate.
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date.
What are the roots that clutch, what branches grow
Out of this stony rubbish? Son of man,
You cannot say, or guess, for you know only
A heap of broken images, where the sun beats,