Final answer:
When you take away unstressed syllables, you allow for a slower rhythm, altering the meter of a poem. Meter is defined by the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, affecting the pace and emotional impact of the work.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you take away unstressed syllables, the spaces between the stresses 'open up', slowing down to allow longer notes or rests between notes. This concept is related to the meter of a poem, which is determined by the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables. Meter is integral to the rhythm of a poem as it establishes its beat.
Understanding the rhythm of poetry is akin to recognizing a heartbeat within language, where the patterns of sound create either euphonic or discordant effects. The presence of rhythmic patterns is natural to us all, as even as children, we internalize the meter of nursery rhymes.