William Blake wrote this poem and I wrote, How does he meter that poison tree and where is the question mark

William Blake did not begin as a poet, but an engraver. His work with copper plates was meticulous and detailed. Perhaps this is why he was successful as a poet; he created visions with words, using the specified meter and syllable emphasis of English tradition.

When you read A Poison Tree by Blake, pay attention to patterns. This poem has been classified Iambic Tetrameter, which generally beats a rhythm like this: da DA, da DA, da DA, da DA.

Iambic Tetrameter means four "feet" of unstressed/STRESSED sound. If it were the other way around, i.e., STRESSED/unstressed as in DA da, DA da, DA, da, DA da, it would be called Trochaic Tetrameter. If there were five feet rather than four, it would be called Iambic or Trochaic PENTAmeter.

Blake's poem does not present consistent Iambic Tetrameter patterning. He often cuts off the last syllable and I hear Trochaic sounds in several lines. In fact, I even sense an Anapestic or three-syllable foot at one point. There are many variations that a poet may employ.

Suffice to say, I am going to attempt to imitate the rhythm and meter of Blake's Iambic Tetrameter poem, A Poison Tree. Readers might recognize this as the sing song sound of a nursery rhyme.

by William Blake

I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I watered it in fears,
Night and morning with my tears;
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine.
And he knew that it was mine,

And into my garden stole
When the night had veiled the pole;
In the morning glad I see
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

Does it matter that the English pronounce words in Blake's poem with a variety of dialects?

Is there any use of the English language that might turn this poem into strict Iambic?

To my American ear, the Iambic pattern varies, line by line. Read aloud Blake's first line:

I was angry with my friend.

I speak this line, "AYE was AN gry WITH my FRIEND", not "aye WAS an GRY with MY friend." This is Trochaic, not Iambic.

Yet, the second line very much follows the pattern of the Iambic: "aye TOLD my WRATH, my WRATH did END."

The third and fourth lines fluctuate in similar fashion. Might it be intentional on the part of this poetic genius? Might Blake be communicating meaning through this action? Deconstruction generates fascinating questions for poetic nerds!

Variations of rhythm and meter contribute to meaning, but these are not the only tools at a poet's disposal. In Blake's poem above, there is the insertion of symbolic imagery; the apple, the tree, the garden with foe outstretched. Blake was fascinated with mythology and religion, therefore inserting these images communicates information that enhances meaning.

by Storytellersrus

Your departure made me sad.
Our joined past was all I had.
Without you, I felt less whole.
Codependence? Not my goal.

Yet, I swelled with emptiness.
Me alone seemed so much less.
And I tore down those around.
Without you, my soul felt bound.

All alone, I wallowed low.
Till a thought began to glow.
Deep inside, it warmed my heart.
Was there something I might start?

With the morning came the light.
And it hovered through the night.
Simply told, this was explained;
We had gone, yet I remained.

My poem is straightforward; I am less skilled. Breaking down the poetic strategy of a Master Poet- particularly one whose ideas intrigue me- becomes a useful exercise for this fledgling poet.  I learned a great deal about listening and communication.  I hope to improve future poems with this knowledge.