Meter in The Fish

Moore’s approach to versification in “The Fish” is unique. The poem is neither metered nor free verse. In other words, the lines do not have specific beat counts, nor do they run free. This is instead known as syllabic verse. In each stanza, the first line has one syllable, the second line three, the third line nine, the fourth line six, and the fifth line eight. None of the verses deviate from this pattern. This structure creates a fixed form but allows for rhythmic variation.