Word of the Day

caesura

[si-zhoor-uh]

noun:

a break or pause, usually near the middle of a line of poetry

Explanation

In poetry, timing can be everything — even the timing of pauses! A caesura is a break or pause, usually occurring near the middle of a line of poetry. It creates rhythm, emphasis, or reflection within a verse. Sometimes, what's left unsaid carries just as much weight as the words themselves.

Example: There was a distinct caesura in the poem, creating a dramatic pause before the final lines.