What characteristic does poetry often utilize to evoke feelings and imagery?

Meter in poetry refers to the structured pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line, which helps create a specific rhythm. This rhythmic quality can significantly influence how a poem feels and how its imagery is perceived. A consistent meter can establish a sense of order or predictability, while variations can evoke tension or surprise. The interplay of meter with language can enhance emotional engagement and enable the reader to visualize the imagery more vividly.

While rhythm also contributes to evoking feelings and imagery, it encompasses a broader range that includes not just meter but also pace and flow, which can sometimes abstract the specific influence of meter alone. Structure relates more to the overall form and organization of a poem, which can impact its interpretation but does not directly evoke emotions through sound. Rhyme scheme deals with the pattern of rhymes at the ends of lines and helps create musicality, but it is primarily the meter that establishes the foundational rhythm, directly shaping the emotional landscape and imagery of the poem.