Ginevra Requests the Honor of your Presence and Critique

OK, stresses and syllables and meter.

Meter is measure.  It's a measure of stresses in a poetic line and it's broken up into "feet".  The number of syllables per foot are what determines the feel or pace of the poem. So, if you've got a "triple foot" like a dactyl, your poem moves along faster.  Double feet like iambs are more ponderous or soothing (they're the heartbeat rhythm).  I will email you some more info, it might help you.

You do have to pay attention to syllables.  But just not first -- hear the stresses first and then play with the syllables to get it right.