Continuing with the current lesson of accents and sounds, what are some typical sounds that have a strong emphasis? Think of the word it. The word it can be heard and seen in many other formulated words.
Robert Pinksy used rabbit as a prime example. Think of the words fit, bit, and litter. each of these has a sound that is emphasized. It is relatively strong, the accent is notable.
In the book The Sounds of Poetry A Brief Guide, Pinksy utilized a poem crafted by Ben Jonson. The poem was given the fitting title "To the Immortal Memory and Friendship of the Noble Pair, Sir Lucius Carey and Sir Henry Morrison". Granted, it is a lengthy title.
In Jonson's poem he writes:
"It is not growing like a tree
in bulk, doth make man better be".
Observe the section of the poem above. What words stick out? What words are accented and which syllables are stressed? Take a moment to ponder and study this. Knowing the words in thought is one thing, but feeling the way they pass over your lips is another.
Also, think for a moment why each of these two lines has four stressed syllables as Pinksy mentions in his book. What does this allow the poem to do? One thing you may conclude is that doing so allows certain words to stick out, such as the first is in the first line.
When crafting your own poems, think about the words more carefully. What links to what? What leads to what? Where am I going and what sounds am I hearing?
This is something to keep in mind when creating a piece of poetry. Neglecting the accents and sounds would be like a band forgetting to practice before chirping wildly without form.
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