Rhythm

Definition: Beats of the poem

Example: Hiawatha's Departure from The Song of Hiawatha

by

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

By the shore of Gitchie Gumee, 

By the shining Big-Sea-Water, 

At the doorway of his wigwam, 

In the pleasant Summer morning, 

Hiawatha stood and waited. 

All the air was full of freshness, 

All the earth was bright and joyous, 

And before him through the sunshine, 

Westward toward the neighboring forest 

Passed in golden swarms the Ahmo, 

Passed the bees, the honey-makers, 

Burning, singing in the sunshine. 

Bright above him shown the heavens, 

Level spread the lake before him; 

From its bosom leaped the sturgeon, 

Aparkling, flashing in the sunshine; 

On its margin the great forest 

Stood reflected in the water, 

Every tree-top had its shadow, 

Motionless beneath the water. 

From the brow of Hiawatha 

Gone was every trace of sorrow, 

As the fog from off the water, 

And the mist from off the meadow. 

With a smile of joy and triumph, 

With a look of exultation, 

As of one who in a vision 

Sees what is to be, but is not, 

Stood and waited Hiawatha.

Significance: Rhythm in poems can flow like in music that can attract or entertain the audience, readers.