PoetryFoundational
Refrain
A repeated line, phrase, or sound pattern in a poem or song.
Principle
Return changes meaning by changing context.
Takeaways
- A refrain gathers force through recurrence.
- It can provide structure, memory, lament, or ritual.
- Unchanged words can mean differently each time they return.
Overview
A refrain is repeated language or sound that recurs across a poem. Its craft power lies in how repetition accumulates difference.
Examples
- A repeated line of mourning becomes accusation by the final stanza.
- A comic refrain turns darker as the situation worsens.