Ever feel like a poem just keeps flowing, even when you reach the end of a line? That's likely the magic of enjambment at work! Enjambment (pronounced en-JAM-ment) is a poetic device where a line breaks mid-phrase, grammatically incomplete, and continues onto the next line. Think of it as a literary cliffhanger, pulling you forward.
Why do poets use it? For starters, it can create a sense of momentum and speed, mimicking the natural rhythm of speech. It can also emphasize certain words or ideas by placing them at the beginning or end of a line. Imagine the difference between: 'The river runs / swiftly' versus 'The river / runs swiftly.' The second emphasizes 'river' and creates a slight pause.
Beyond rhythm, enjambment can mirror the poem's theme. A poem about anxiety might use frequent enjambment to create a feeling of unease. So, next time you're reading poetry, pay attention to where the lines break. You might just discover a whole new layer of meaning!
