Iambic tetrameter is a poetic meter made up of four iambs per line, meaning each line contains eight syllables with a regular da-DUM rhythm. It is commonly used in English poetry because of its smooth, balanced sound.
‘Porphyria’s Lover,’ opens up with a classic setting of a stormy evening. It is a story of a deranged and lovesick man.
The poem is written almost entirely in iambic tetrameter, giving it a rhythmic, song-like quality that contrasts sharply with its dark subject matter. This steady meter mimics the speaker’s calm, calculated mindset, even as he describes murder. The regularity of the rhythm underscores the disturbing tension between form and content, enhancing the poem’s psychological impact.
William Wordsworth’s literary classic, ‘Daffodils,’ also known as ‘I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,’ is one of the most popular poems in the English language. It is a quintessential poem of the Romantic movement.
Wordsworth uses meter to transform the pace and tone of this poem, complimenting the free and easy subject matter. The use of iambic tetrameter ensures the lines remain a middling length, moving the reader to the next line as the narrative progresses. This freedom of movement reflects the daffodils and lake in the poem, which take on a life of their own as joy permeates every aspect of this poem, causing them to dance as they sway in the breeze.
Through a soft and steady reflection, ‘Moonlight, summer moonlight’ captures a speaker’s quiet admiration for a peaceful summer night, revealing how calm moments in nature can bring deep contentment without needing deeper meaning.
The iambic tetrameter lines, albeit with alternating iambic trimeter lines between them, provide a foundational rhythm and stability to the poem’s pacing. Their regular meter supports the poem’s serene mood while giving it momentum. This meter is especially effective in Romantic poetry, and here it gives weight to key descriptive lines, making them linger gently in the reader’s mind.
'Tis moonlight, summer moonlight, All soft and still and fair; The solemn hour of midnight Breathes sweet thoughts everywhere,
‘Invictus’ is W.E. Henley’s most famous and inspirational poem, that resonates with people worldwide. He wrote the poem in 1875 and dedicated it to Scottish flour merchant named Robert Thomas Hamilton Bruce.
This meter gives 'Invictus' a bold and steady pace. The occasional substitution of a trochee at the beginning of some lines disrupts the rhythm slightly but intentionally, emphasizing key words, such as 'Black' and 'Looms.' This metrical consistency shows the speaker’s control, and the small changes make the message more emotional and powerful.
‘This Be The Verse’ by Philip Larkin is a powerful poem. It’s about the intense relationships between children and their parents.
Larkin embraces the simplicity of this rhyming scheme and matches it through his language choices. This allows the poem to be direct, uncompromising, and absolute as it establishes what Larkin believes to be the rule society has inadvertently followed. The meter also allows this poem to be memorable, with lines easily retained after reading. This is perhaps one of the many reasons the poem is so popular, as it enhances the honesty and memorability of the poem.
‘A Psalm of Life’ by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow describes life’s purpose and struggles and the best way to confront them daily.
The meter used in this poem is iambic tetrameter. That means each line has four pairs of syllables, and in each pair, the first syllable is soft and the second one is strong. This pattern creates a natural, almost conversational rhythm that makes the poem feel calm but steady. Longfellow uses this kind of beat to give his message strength and movement, helping the reader stay focused and engaged from start to finish.
‘Have You Earned Your Tomorrow’ by Edgar Guest presents a number of probing questions to a reader about how they spend their days.
The poem mostly follows iambic tetrameter, which gives it a smooth and steady rhythm. This meter helps create a natural tone that matches the speaker’s calm but serious questions. The beat makes it easy to read aloud, and it adds flow to the poem’s message. While a few lines break the pattern slightly, most of the poem stays true to the meter. For a short, reflective piece, it’s a solid and fitting example of this rhythm.
Is anybody happier because you passed his way?
Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today?
This day is almost over, and its toiling time is through;
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?
‘So We’ll Go No More a Roving’ is one of Lord Byron’s best works, delving into the emotional toll of aging and the waning of youthful vigor.
The poem mostly follows iambic tetrameter, meaning each line has four beats with a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. This gives the poem a steady, gentle rhythm that matches the quiet tone of the speaker. It is not strict or overly formal, but the meter gives the lines a smooth and measured sound. While the poem is short, the meter still plays a strong role in shaping how the words feel when read aloud.
‘To His Coy Mistress’ urges seizing love now, using witty metaphors to highlight the fleeting nature of time and beauty.
The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means each line usually has four iambs. An iamb is a pair of syllables where the first one is soft and the second one is stronger. So each line has a gentle up-and-down rhythm that sounds natural when read out loud. This steady beat gives the poem a quick and lively feel, which matches the speaker’s growing urgency and desire to act before time runs out.
‘The Arrow and the Song’ by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow is an interesting poem that utilizes quatrains. Throughout the piece, the speaker alludes to the unknown impact of his poetry before finding it in the heart of his friend in the last stanza.
Each line in the poem follows iambic tetrameter, which means it has four groups of syllables that follow a soft-loud beat. This meter gives the poem a steady rhythm that makes it pleasant to read aloud. It moves at a calm pace, matching the thoughtful tone of the piece. Though the poem is not long or highly complex, its use of meter is consistent and well suited to the message, earning it a solid rating.
‘There Will Come Soft Rains’ is a beautiful, image-rich poem. In it, Teasdale describes the impact, or lack thereof, that humanity really has on the natural world.
Most lines in the poem follow iambic tetrameter, which means they have four sets of syllables with a soft beat followed by a stronger one. This pattern gives the lines a natural flow, almost like quiet speech. It suits the subject matter well because it feels steady and not rushed. While there are small variations in rhythm, the overall meter stays consistent enough to notice, giving the poem a smooth pace that supports its thoughtful and peaceful tone.
There will come soft rains and the smell of the ground,
And swallows circling with their shimmering sound;
‘To My Sister’ is a serene call to embrace nature’s joy with loved ones, setting aside life’s hustle for spiritual renewal.
The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means each line has four iambs or pairs of syllables with a soft beat followed by a strong one. This steady rhythm sounds very natural and gives the poem a quiet musical quality, almost like a gentle walk. It matches the content perfectly, especially since the speaker invites his sister to enjoy a peaceful day outdoors. While not a rare meter, its consistent use adds to the poem’s smooth tone.
‘He ate and drank the precious words’ by Emily Dickinson is an uplifting poem. It celebrates the joys of reading by describing one man’s experience.
The poem mostly uses iambic tetrameter, which means each line has four pairs of syllables that follow a gentle rhythm—one soft beat followed by a strong one. You can hear it clearly in lines like “He ate and drank the pre cious words.” This steady pattern helps the poem flow naturally and gives it a light musical feel. Even though the tone is thoughtful, the meter keeps it feeling smooth and easy to read aloud.
Thomas Hardy’s ‘Ah, Are You Digging on My Grave?’ is a darkly ironic ballad that explores death, the illusion of eternal remembrance.
Much of this poem is written in iambic tetrameter, a meter consisting of four iambs per line (eight syllables, alternating unstressed and stressed). This gives the poem a steady, rhythmic flow that mimics conversational speech, making the dramatic dialogue sound natural. Iambic tetrameter also allows for emotional variation. Lines can feel hopeful, reflective, or abrupt depending on tone. Hardy uses this rhythm to guide the reader’s expectations, only to subvert them with grim twists, reinforcing the poem’s satirical edge.
On the surface, ‘My Heart Leaps Up’ is about the simple beauty of a rainbow. Looking at it more closely, it is about the bliss in innocence.
The poem mostly follows iambic tetrameter, meaning each line has four beats with the stress falling on every second syllable. This steady pattern feels smooth and almost like natural speech. There are a few slight changes in rhythm across the lines, but the general flow remains balanced. The consistent sound makes the speaker’s quiet joy and reflection feel more grounded. This kind of meter suits a short poem that wants to sound simple and sincere.
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