Final answer:
In poetry, the length of a line affects the reader's breath and timing when reading aloud. Long lines might require a long breath and create a sense of vastness, while short lines might necessitate short breaths and convey urgency.
Step-by-step explanation:
Laying down a line in long flat bights, particularly in the context of poetry, is not a recognized technical term. However, the concept of long lines in poetry is crucial for understanding the rhythm and flow of a poem. The length of a line in a poem affects the reader's interpretation and the breath required to read it aloud, acting as an organizational tool to guide pace, emphasis, and silence.
In Robinson Jeffers' poem "The Eye", the long line describing a series of images requires a long breath, creating a sense of vastness and an overwhelming flow of images. In contrast, shorter lines, like the ones found in some stanzas of Allen Ginsberg's "Howl", may require short breaths for a quick read, often reflecting desperation or urgency. This reflects the idea that a line in poetry is much like a unit of breath, essential for the oral art of poetry that comes to life when read aloud.