Tetrameter is a poetic term that refers to a line of verse consisting of four metrical feet. A metrical foot is a specific pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, and the type of foot determines the rhythm of the line. Common types of tetrameter include:
Iambic Tetrameter: Each foot has an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable
Trochaic Tetrameter: Each foot has a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable
Anapestic Tetrameter: Each foot has two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable
Dactylic Tetrameter: Each foot has one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables
The River of Time
Stanza 1
˘ ´ | ˘ ´ | ˘ ´ | ˘ ´
I walk along the silent lane (a – iambic)
´ ˘ | ´ ˘ | ´ ˘ | ´ ˘
Shadows shimmer, fading slowly (b – trochaic)
˘ ˘ ´ | ˘ ˘ ´ | ˘ ˘ ´ | ˘ ˘ ´
In the meadow, the fireflies glimmer at night (d – dactylic)
´ ˘ ˘ | ´ ˘ ˘ | ´ ˘ ˘ | ´ ˘ ˘
Wondrously fleeting, they vanish forever (d – dactylic)
Stanza 2
˘ ´ | ˘ ´ | ˘ ´ | ˘ ´
I watch the stars grow pale with dawn (a – iambic)
´ ˘ | ´ ˘ | ´ ˘ | ´ ˘
Golden embers falling gently (b – trochaic)
˘ ˘ ´ | ˘ ˘ ´ | ˘ ˘ ´ | ˘ ˘ ´
In the quiet of the morning, the silence is deep (c – anapestic)
´ ˘ ˘ | ´ ˘ ˘ | ´ ˘ ˘ | ´ ˘ ˘
Moments unending drift over the valley (d – dactylic)
Stanza 3
˘ ´ | ˘ ´ | ˘ ´ | ˘ ´
The wind grows still beneath the skies (a – iambic)
´ ˘ | ´ ˘ | ´ ˘ | ´ ˘
Silver birdsong singing softly (b – trochaic)
˘ ˘ ´ | ˘ ˘ ´ | ˘ ˘ ´ | ˘ ˘ ´
In the breath of a dream that was never attained (c – anapestic)
´ ˘ ˘ | ´ ˘ ˘ | ´ ˘ ˘ | ´ ˘ ˘
Memories wander through shadowy silence (d – dactylic)
Stanza 4
˘ ´ | ˘ ´ | ˘ ´ | ˘ ´
I trace the path where blossoms lay (a – iambic)
´ ˘ | ´ ˘ | ´ ˘ | ´ ˘
Crimson whispers blooming sweetly (b – trochaic)
˘ ˘ ´ | ˘ ˘ ´ | ˘ ˘ ´ | ˘ ˘ ´
In the hush of a moment the heart will not keep(c – anapestic)
´ ˘ ˘ | ´ ˘ ˘ | ´ ˘ ˘ | ´ ˘ ˘
Time, like a river, flows endlessly onward (d – dactylic)
Tetrameter
From the blog
About the Author: Sarah B. Royal
Sarah B. Royal’s writing defies convention. Her poetry and prose traverse the boundaries between structure and spontaneity, often weaving together philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a background in experimental literature, she is known for crafting works that challenge readers to engage intellectually and emotionally.
Her acclaimed palindrome performance play, 777 – A Story of Idol Worship and Murder, showcases her fascination with mirrored storytelling and thematic symmetry. In o x ∞ = ♥: The Poet and The Mathematician, Royal explores the intersection of poetic intuition and mathematical logic, revealing a unique voice that is both analytical and lyrical.
Royal’s collections—such as Lost in the Lost and Found, Haiku For You, Lantern and Tanka Too, and the WoPoLi Chapbook Series—highlight her commitment to neurodivergent expression and poetic experimentation. Whether through childhood verse or contemporary fusion poetry, her work invites readers into a world where language is both a tool and a playground.
Sarah B. Royal continues to expand the possibilities of poetic form, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience. Her writing is a testament to the power of creative risk, intellectual depth, and emotional authenticity.
WoPoLi 
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