How does repetition of words, phrases, and lines create rhythm in free verse?

In free verse, rhythm is not dictated by traditional metrical stress patterns. Instead, it arises from the systematic arrangement of language elements that approximate the natural cadence of speech and provide symmetry to the poem.1

The repetition of words, phrases, and lines serves as a primary resource for creating this rhythmic effect. By repeating these linguistic units, a poet establishes a pattern that the ear and mind perceive as a rhythmic structure, even in the absence of a formal meter. This repetition works in tandem with other devices, such as:1

• Syntactical patterning: Organizing the structure of sentences to create a balanced flow.1
• Temporal junctures: Using caesura (marked pauses) and varying line lengths to control the pace of the poem.1
• Sound repetition: Utilizing the recurrence of specific sounds to reinforce the poem's movement.1

Ultimately, these repetitions help transform the poem into a temporal structure, heightening the reader's emotional response and providing a sense of balance that is essential to the nature of poetry.1