mysid

I don't have a poetic bone in my body either--which is why "Write a poem" assignments in English class were always the worst--but when I have tried writing poetry, I could sometimes "hear" when the syllables or stresses were off. I'm sure that for someone who did have a poetic bone or two (like Poe), it would be even easier to hear. Thus, no need to count while writing--maybe while proofreading, but not while writing.