poetry Poetry (from the Greek language, Greek word ''poiesis'', "making") is a form of literature, literary art that uses aesthetics, aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meaning (linguistics), meanings in addition to, or in ...

, a tetrameter is a line of four metrical feet. However, the particular foot can vary, as follows: * '' Anapestic tetrameter:'' ** "And the ''sheen'' of their ''spears'' was like ''stars'' on the ''sea''" (

Lord Byron George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron (22 January 1788 – 19 April 1824) was an English poet. He is one of the major figures of the Romantic movement, and is regarded as being among the greatest poets of the United Kingdom. Among his best-kno ...

, " The Destruction of Sennacherib") ** "Twas the ''night'' before ''Christ''mas when ''all'' through the ''house''" (" A Visit from St. Nicholas") ** "And since ''birth'' I've been ''cursed'' with this ''curse'' to just ''curse'' / And just ''blurt'' this ber''serk'' and biz''arre'' shit that ''works''" (

Eminem Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17, 1972), known professionally as Eminem, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time, he is credited with popula ...

, " The Way I Am") * ''

Iambic tetrameter Iambic tetrameter is a meter (poetry), poetic meter in Ancient Greek poetry, ancient Greek and Latin poetry; as the name of ''a rhythm'', iambic tetrameter consists of four metra, each metron being of the form , x – u – , , consisting of a spo ...

:'' ** "Be''cause'' I ''could'' not ''stop'' for ''Death''" ( Emily Dickinson,

eponymous An eponym is a noun after which or for which someone or something is, or is believed to be, named. Adjectives derived from the word ''eponym'' include ''eponymous'' and ''eponymic''. Eponyms are commonly used for time periods, places, innovati ...

lyric) * '' Trochaic tetrameter:'' ** "''Pet''er, ''Pet''er, ''pump''kin-''eat''er" ( English nursery rhyme) * '' Dactylic tetrameter:'' ** ''Pic''ture your ''self'' in a ''boat'' on a ''riv''er with ..(

The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The core lineup of the band comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatle ...

, " Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds") * '' Spondaic tetrameter:'' ** ''Long sounds move slow'' * '' Pyrrhic tetrameter'' (with spondees white breast" and "dim sea": ** And the ''white breast'' of the ''dim sea'' * '' Amphibrachic tetrameter:'' ** And, ''speak''ing of ''birds'', there's the ''Russ''ian Pa''loo''ski, / Whose ''head''ski is ''red''ski and ''bel''ly is ''blue''ski. ( Dr. Seuss)

See also