What is a caesura in poetry?

A caesura in poetry refers specifically to a pause that occurs within a line of verse. This pause can create a natural break in the rhythm and is often used for emphasis or to enhance the emotional impact of the poem. Such pauses can occur in various forms, such as a comma, a period, or even a dash, and they can significantly affect the pacing and flow of the poem. By utilizing a caesura, poets can guide the reader's experience of the poem’s rhythm and meaning, allowing for a moment of reflection or tension before continuing with the subsequent words.

Other terms, such as a complete rhyme scheme, type of meter, or figure of speech, do not accurately describe a caesura. Each of these other options pertains to different elements of poetry that contribute to its overall structure and meaning, but they do not specifically address the concept of an internal pause within a single line.