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Home » Poems & Poetry » Blogs » Punctuation

Punctuation - Suzette Richards's Blog

About Suzette Richards
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Poetry has been my passion since my retirement from an accountancy based career a dozen years ago. I currently live in South Africa and this rainbow nation has inspired many of my poems. I also have British nationality and embrace their grammar and spelling, but I read widely and am not fazed by strict grammar rules: A pavement/sidewalk; glasses/eyeglasses; judgement/judgment, et cetera; they are one and the same to me when I read poetry. To date, I have self-published a number of books, including the poetry anthology by international poets, © Time, 2014 ISBN 978-0-620-60578-6, and have been cited in many international publications, both poetry journals, as well as in scholarly handbooks. Some of my short stories have been published in international electronic publications, and one of my novellas had been short-listed for an Afrikaans SA publication.

I serve on the Board of Advisers, of Taleemi Baithak. (See my blog, Words of Wisdom, 29 September 2023.)

I have a number of poetic forms to my credit, notably, Suzette Prime (listed here on PoetrySoup), as well as Suzette sonnet.

My most recent books which include examples of my poetry as well as notes regarding poetry - available directly from me:

  1. © The Eutony of Words, 2018 ISBN 978-0-6399382-0-2
  2. © Docendo discimus, 2021 (Revised 2023) ISBN 978-0-620-95432-7
  3. © Flight of Thoughts, 2023 ISBN 978-0-6397-8880-7
  4. © Downtown - Poetic Devices, 2023 ISBN 978-0-7961-1968-1
  5.  © Rocking Poetry, 2033 ISBN 978-0-7961-2824-9

I am pleased to be part of this vibrant poetry community.

My avatar: Free spirit, by Suzette Richards 2023 - image generated.

Punctuation

Blog Posted:11/8/2023 12:09:00 AM

An exclamation mark in a poem or text is as irritating as canned laughter!



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Parker Avatar
Arlo
Parker
Date: 11/9/2023 9:30:00 PM
No dog in this "fight", but punctuation in poetry should just be the poet's choice. Why rules against perfectly acceptable language usage? Respectfully, I would say "no issue" and proceed to write as one is inspired. More $.02, in an inflationary year. :o)
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Richards Avatar
Suzette Richards
Date: 11/10/2023 2:09:00 AM
Now divide that number by 20 and you will get to the value of the Rand against the dollar :) I'm not picking on anyone -- just my personal preference, Arlo.l
Seeker Avatar
Unseeking
Seeker
Date: 11/9/2023 2:53:00 AM
In my view, if we are using commas and full stops then perhaps exclamation marks are also in order if appropriate to the text. If we are not using punctuation at all, then of course exclamation marks should not be there either.
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Richards Avatar
Suzette Richards
Date: 11/9/2023 3:42:00 AM
Mmmmm Good point, Seeker. Being consistent in an individual poem is desirable, but not necessarily desired by the poet across all their poetry.
Dietrich Avatar
Andrea
Dietrich
Date: 11/8/2023 9:52:00 AM
I don't take exception to exclamation marks. Only if they are overused.
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Richards Avatar
Suzette Richards
Date: 11/8/2023 11:35:00 AM
The fine line...
Turner Avatar
Daniel
Turner
Date: 11/8/2023 9:19:00 AM
If a poem has a good flow, I do not think punctuation is needed. I only try to use it when the cadence is off. My .02 cents.
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Richards Avatar
Suzette Richards
Date: 11/8/2023 10:27:00 PM
Just pulling your leg, Dan. I miss your banter here - glad you are back :)
Turner Avatar
Daniel Turner
Date: 11/8/2023 4:23:00 PM
OK Ill take a leg:) Im not going to argue. Im fairly certain most poets/writers always punctuate quotations, correctly. If one is going to use quotation marks, I think it's safe to say they would also use a comma inside of them if needed . Don't you think?
Richards Avatar
Suzette Richards
Date: 11/8/2023 11:37:00 AM
Good point. "Let's eat grandma." :)
Puddifoot Avatar
Charlotte
Puddifoot
Date: 11/8/2023 8:27:00 AM
i'll be the dissenting voice and say i have nothing against exclamation marks! sylvia plath peppered her late work with them and it didn't do her any harm..i like to mix things up a bit, sometimes i leave punctuation out, more often i use it, but it depends on the style and subject matter..there is a general trend in modern poetry towards using less punctuation, but i think punctuation can enhance a poem, and add clarity
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Richards Avatar
Suzette Richards
Date: 11/8/2023 11:42:00 AM
All good points, Charlotte. The exclamation mark, though...? Hey, each to his own :)
Lawless Avatar
John
Lawless
Date: 11/8/2023 4:07:00 AM
DAMMIT!!!!! i just found it on the keyboard......beware they'll be coming for your colon's next....is a semi-colon a half-assed attempt at punctuation??? I'm off to question the question mark (full stop)
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Richards Avatar
Suzette Richards
Date: 11/8/2023 4:33:00 AM
:)
Da11y Avatar
Di11y
Da11y
Date: 11/8/2023 1:31:00 AM
It's only end of line exclamation marks that get me - I feel there might be power in the sudden jolt within a poem. Generally with one word... Have I done it? Can't remember. I agree about the prompt the laugh being awkward. I'm free and easy with punctuation though ~ ta da! I'm not an expert haha (just admitting I'm laughing at my own joke, no expectation to laugh with me) :D
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Richards Avatar
Suzette Richards
Date: 11/8/2023 4:42:00 AM
You are too funny (colonialism - not to be taken literally) ... Yes, any punctuation mark mid-sentence might enhance the reader's experience, but it is not really my style.
Da11y Avatar
Di11y
Da11y
Date: 11/8/2023 12:28:00 AM
It's not that I disagree but I do remember you being a huge advocate of poets choice? I actually do agree, my teeth don't go on edge they fall out and have to be glued back in never to be the same again. (Although I do deem that a me problem) How do you feel about question marks - I leave them to the imagination in poems mostly...
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Richards Avatar
Suzette Richards
Date: 11/8/2023 12:53:00 AM
See my reply above .... Yes, poets have freedom (up to a point), then the reader takes over:) I just don't like being told when to laugh, especially if it is not funny. What do you say;)

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Punctuation
Date Posted: 11/8/2023 12:09:00 AM

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4/6/2024 From Purgatory to Paradise Haibunafrica,nature,
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3/22/2024 Autumn Sonnetanalogy,autumn,
2/23/2024 The Last Leaf Tankaautumn,feelings,friend,im
2/20/2024 To everything there is a season Otherlife,nature,seasons,
2/19/2024 By the Lily Pond Rhymefantasy,
2/9/2024 Redamancy in Venice Sedokalove,
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1/23/2024 The Wind Teased Sijoloss,
1/16/2024 Hot Pickup Line Limerickhumorous,valentines day,
12/9/2023 Wabi-sabi Verseanalogy,culture,life,
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10/5/2023 Eidolon Sonnetlife,
9/30/2023 Free As a Bird Suzette Primefreedom,introspection,
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1/15/2022 The Perfidy of Memoirs Free verseinspiration,memory,
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10/18/2021 2 Lunes Otherlost love,poetry,seasons,
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Love In Love With Love Sonnetlove,spiritual,
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Floating Shards of Dream Free verseanalogy,lost love,pain,
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The Forming of Thoughts Rhymeangst,
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I Died Sonnetallusion,anger,angst,
Debacle Rhymeconfusion,evil,history,
When doves cry Free verseeulogy,
Pearl-Prayer Sijoemotions,heaven,life,long
apologies for the truth Suzette Primephilosophy,senses,
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Amberina Ballerina, Whatever Verseintrospection,
Sea Shore Night Sijonature,sea,
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Book: Shattered Sighs