I need help with the meter of this poem:

Question

Wild Nights -- Wild Nights!
Were I with thee
Wild Nights should be
Our luxury!

Futile -- the Winds --
To a Heart in port --
Done with the Compass --
Done with the Chart!

Rowing in Eden --
Ah, the Sea!
Might I but moor --
Tonight --In Thee!

1. Does the poem have iambic tetrameter or iambic dimeter? I want to say it is dimeter, but I've read that Dickinson rarely uses iambic dimeter. Any help?

2. Is the first line of the poem a spondee or trochee?

Thanks!!

Answer 1

When dealing with iambic anything, count the number of syllables in a line and divide by 2.

Each line in the first stanza has 4 syllables; if those lines have iambs in them, then the poet is using iambic dimeter (di- means two).

To determine the second answer, go to www.google.com and enter each word. Enter spondee and read; then enter trochee and read. What will you decide.

Answer 2

thank you for responding. However, line 10 has only 3 syllables? What would that be called?

also--i have read the definitions for spondee and trochee but I am still confused about which word is stressed and unstressed or both stressed or unstressed for "wild nights!".

Answer 3

In line 1, both syllables are stressed. That line is called spondaic dimeter.

Read lines 9 and 10 together. What is the total of syllables in the TWO lines?

Every once in a while a poet will depart from his or her intended rhythm ... for any variety of reasons!