Old Norse Skaldic Meters, the Kviotattr

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Nordic Verse

A Kviohattr, is a Skaldic meter. Its focus is the rhythm of the piece.
A Kviohattr elements are:

1. accentual verse, composed with 4 stresses in a line.
2. written in a line of verse of 7 syllables, most commonly divided in half by 3 syllables and 4 syllables. There should be 2 stresses in each half. Most commonly SuS * uSuS or it can be uSS * SuuS
3. often alliterated. Alliteration emphasizes stress.
4. composed with any number of lines in a stanza, at the poet's discretion.
5. rhyme at the poet's discretion.

   Winter Rain by Judi Van Gorder
   
   Driving wind bends tall tree tops,
   catching rain from cloudburst flow,
   drenched and spent, their limbs hang low.

   Down it comes, in pregnant drops,
   splash the tears of gathered pain.
   Winter's wail reclaims domain.

Links to other Skaldic meters

Old Norse Skaldic Meters
Drottkvaet
Hrynhent
Runnhent