What is caesura, and how might it be used to create reflection in a poem?

• A. A pause within a line, often indicated by punctuation.
• B. A rhyme at the end of a line.
• C. A line break creating a full pause between clauses.
• D. A type of metaphor for time.

Answer: (D)

Caesura is a pause inside a line of poetry, usually shown by punctuation such as a comma, dash, or period. This break slows the reading and gives space for reflection, letting the thought before the pause breathe before the line continues. The effect on rhythm can be noticeable: the line may feel longer or more abrupt, depending on where the pause sits, which mirrors hesitation or a turning point in the speaker’s thinking. By interrupting the flow, it invites the reader to pause with the speaker and consider what has just been said. It’s not about end rhymes or about a line break that creates a pause between clauses (that would relate to enjambment or end-stopped lines), and it isn’t a metaphor for time. So the best description is a pause within a line of poetry indicated by punctuation that invites reflection.