I am still trying to figure out the meter in the poem On the Amtrak from Boston to New York City. Looking at the types of meter I narrowed it down to iambic pentameter and anapestic. I thought the meter was anapestic because of the 2 unaccented syllables followe by 1 accented syllables. I am not sure if this is right. I know the imagery and I know the symbolism to the poem and am not asking for help in that but meter is confusing to me even though I am researching it. I looked through google about the meter and still only get info on what I already have which is the types of meter. I am struggling to determine the type if someone could tell me if at least I am in the right direction
It does sound like a mix of iambic and trochaic pentameter. Most lines seem to have ten syllables or so, and most of the "feet" seem to be iambs, but not all.
I think the poet is trying to keep something of a meter and rhythm, but also make it fairly close to modern-day casual speech/thinking. Since there is a certain level of bitterness and anger in the poem, he may also be reflecting those emotions when the meter seems to shift.
Understanding meter in poetry can be challenging, but I'll do my best to explain it to you. Meter refers to the rhythm of a poem created by the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in each line.
To determine the meter of a poem, it is essential to count the syllables and identify which ones are stressed (accented) and which ones are unstressed (unaccented). There are different types of meter, and two of the common ones you mentioned are iambic pentameter and anapestic.
In iambic pentameter, each line typically consists of five pairs of syllables, with the first syllable being unstressed and the second syllable stressed. This pattern repeats throughout the entire poem. For example, Shakespeare's sonnets are predominantly written in iambic pentameter.
Anapestic meter, on the other hand, consists of three syllables in each foot, with the first two syllables being unstressed and the third syllable stressed. This creates a rhythm that sounds like da-da-DUM. Dr. Seuss's works often use this type of meter.
Based on your description of two unstressed syllables followed by one stressed syllable, that does align with the pattern of anapestic meter. However, it is crucial to consider the entire poem's structure and not just individual lines, as variations in meter can occur.
To determine the meter of the poem "On the Amtrak from Boston to New York City," it is necessary to analyze the syllable count and stress patterns in each line. Count the syllables, identify the stressed and unstressed ones, and look for patterns that repeat consistently throughout the poem. Additionally, consider the overall metrical pattern established by the poet.
If you're still uncertain about the meter after your research, it might be beneficial to consult an annotated version of the poem or seek analysis from literature experts who can provide a detailed breakdown of the poem's meter.
Remember, practice and familiarity with different types of meter will improve your understanding and make it easier to identify them in poetry.