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Why No Punctuation???

Blog Posted:7/2/2017 1:39:00 AM

Okay, why do so many poets here not use punctuation? Or, maybe I should say, "Why do so many RARELY use punctuation?" I have always thought (and still do) that punctuation makes poetry so much easier to read. After all, that is the purpose of punctuation. A pause equals a comma. The end of a thought equals a period. Now why not use them? Don't we want people to be able to read our poems with ease? Is there some rule somewhere that I don't know about that says we don't need punctuation in poetry? Or, do many poets just not know where, when and how to use puntuation? Tell me. I HAVE to know. I'm beginning to go into an OCD tailspin and can't hold it in any longer! HELP!!

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Darren
White

Date: 7/3/2017 10:42:00 AM

I use punctuation as well as spacing in a very specific and selective way. You will not find too much of it in my poems, only on places where I absolutely don't want people to read something the wrong way. Excessive, constant use of punctuation sometimes even causes me to stop reading.

Chris
Green

Date: 7/3/2017 9:21:00 AM

My excuse is that I am lazy and at times not too sure when and where certain things should go, so for fear of putting something in the wrong place most times I just don't. Though I do use a lot of commas. :)

Jan
Allison

Date: 7/3/2017 7:31:00 AM

Your blog inspired me to write a tongue in cheek poem Carole:-) hugs Jan xx https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/punk_chew_asian_and_speeling_917445

Brian
Strand

Date: 7/2/2017 11:38:00 PM

Thank you Carol for your comments on my open poetry(see my comment below) .I wrote a number of such (sans punctuation ) poems circa 2012 (all posted here,and received many favourable comments) and the key thereto was line indentation, where the rhythm of the eye naturally provides the ' pause' and 'stop'.My inspiration was some poetry of Marianne Moore.

Brian Strand
Date: 7/3/2017 3:25:00 AM

Carol I have made a spinoff blog courtesy of your blog asit is easier forms show than tell in regard to techniques of open poetry sans punctuation

Cyndi
Macmillan

Date: 7/2/2017 10:08:00 PM

Hey Keith... I understand your POV more than you know. I've played with non-punctuation and it isn't my style, but I've read many non-punctuated poems and have enjoyed them very much. I really like Ferlinghetti (check out this one circa the 1950's) https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/52319/constantly-risking-absurdity-15. This choice whether to write with or without punctuation started a few generations back. I love commas, love them, love them, love them. But I do like omitting the full stop of periods (sometimes) and I recently wrote a poem of 'field notes.' I used space to show the thought process of observation (like a police notebook!) Intentional.

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 7/3/2017 3:00:00 PM

:DDD Carrots! haha! But Ferlinghetti's is about being a poet, about the highwire act of writing, so gorgeous, so real about what we do... and I wonder if it will touch you the same way it touched me? (PS-- Crozier wrote a whole veggie series... cracks me up!)

Agnes
Krampe

Date: 7/2/2017 8:52:00 PM

Omitting punctuation can be used as a tool to leave open the possibilty for multiple meanings. Leaving out the punctuation mark enables the reader to discover and ponder the double meaning that would escape him or her if a comma or period made the structure unambiguous. But this should be a deliberate choice by the poet, not not just laziness or incompetence. I sometimes intentionally omit punctuation in free verse, because I do not want to interfere with the multiplicity of meanings.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/3/2017 8:15:00 AM

Excellent observation, Agnes. I deplore it , however, when someone is confusing us by using lots of clauses and the meaning gets totally misread for lack of attention to the simple use of commas. Line breaks are also so important. if one wants to write with no punctuation, they better be a darn good writer and have a reason for it (not just doing it because they don't even know punctuation rules)

Cyndi
Macmillan

Date: 7/2/2017 10:12:00 AM

Punctuation is another tool for a poet to use or not use. Poetry can but does not NEED to use grammar rules as the poet writes the rules. A poet is kind of like Lewis Carroll, writing their own versions of Wonderland. However, once a poet has laid down the map to the poem and how it should be read, the poet should keep to the map. So, perhaps the poet only uses commas but no periods, or no punctuation ... then that should play-out through the whole poem. The idea of no punctuation is so that it is a quick read, no pauses, machine-gun-imagery rata-tat-tat. White space can easily replace a comma. Punctuation alters the pacing of a poem. Sometimes, a poet doesn't want the thought to end

Cyndi Macmillan
Date: 7/2/2017 10:18:00 AM

Here is an interesting article which may help northamericanreview.org/punctuation-in-poetry-by-jack-cooper

Brian
Strand

Date: 7/2/2017 9:01:00 AM

Carol ,the limiting breath length,will generally control punctuation in any form of poetry,and can be used effectively instead of punctuation in open poetry.I have just re posted as an example thereof my poem 'A poem sans punctuation'

Carole Duet
Date: 7/2/2017 10:33:00 PM

I agree, Barry. As a former reading teacher, I can tell you that punctuation in poetry just like prose, is very helpful in teaching kids how to read and how to read poetry in particular, especially since the line breaks in poetry are so different from prose.

Brian Strand
Date: 7/2/2017 9:06:00 AM

I wrote my open poetry examples as an exercise .As others say below ,if the poet wants his/her poem read/said as he/she intended then punctuation would seem to be essential otherwise it is merely a puzzle to solve

Barry
Stebbings

Date: 7/2/2017 4:40:00 AM

I agree with Carole. Punctuation is a natural form of expression and communication in our language, and I cannot see any value in not using it. Punctuation is implied in speech and used in prose so I do not see any reason to exclude it from poetry. I find poetry without punctuation difficult to read and often do not read these poems. In fact there is a contradiction in not using punctuation. Poetry, to my mind, is a spoken art form. Therefore the punctuation is expressed by the reader, whether it is printed or not. As for modernity - does modernity say there has to be no punctuation? No!

Julia
Ward

Date: 7/2/2017 2:39:00 AM

Sometimes not using punctuation in a Free Verse poem is for effect and to give it modernity. It is quite acceptable, IMO.

Julia Ward
Date: 7/2/2017 11:42:00 AM

Lin - I was talking about the *principle* of not punctuating as I'm sure most people recognized. I didn't say if it were right or wrong.

Lin Lane
Date: 7/2/2017 5:41:00 AM

Non-punctuation means no punctuation is included, therefore, it is not used and cannot be used wisely, astutely or otherwise. Poetry is a reflection of the poet's thoughts, so to punctuate or not is a matter of choice.. not what is right or wrong. Abstract art verses detailed art...to each his own.

Julia Ward
Date: 7/2/2017 4:15:00 AM

Keith, The woman lived some time ago, and I did refer to modern usage. Used wisely, astute use of non-punctuation enhances a poem.

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Date Posted	PoemTitle	Form	Categories
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3/1/2020	Buttercup	Free verse	love,
2/24/2020	The Politician	Free verse	political,
2/24/2020	Fight For Your Future	Free verse	earth,environment,future,
2/13/2020	The Climate Crisis	Free verse	future,
7/2/2019	July 4th Haiku	Haiku	dog,
5/23/2019	Bleep Trump	Couplet	anger,slam,
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4/6/2019	Poodles	Free verse	children,dog,fun,
3/15/2019	Denial	Free verse	love,
3/13/2019	Come Back	Couplet	lost love,
3/2/2019	Love Is	Sonnet	love,
3/2/2019	A New Day	Free verse	music,
2/16/2019	Lazy Minds	Couplet	love,wisdom,
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1/21/2019	Nuts	Lyric	crazy,love,
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12/5/2018	The Suffering	Rhyme	death,earth,grief,money,n
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10/21/2018	Jealousy	Free verse	jealousy,lost love,
9/2/2018	My Wish	Rictameter	love,romance,roses are re
8/26/2018	Blocked	Concrete	slam,
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7/21/2018	Friendship Vs Love	Free verse	friendship,love,
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3/7/2018	Fears and Tears	Lyric	fear,lost love,
2/12/2018	Hope For the Best	Carpe Diem	hope,lost love,
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1/31/2018	Blue Again	Lyric	lost love,
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12/29/2017	No Ceiling	Rhyme	freedom,history,love,myst
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11/13/2017	It's Elemental	Free verse	creation,earth,fire,freed
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Fav Poems

PoemTitle	Form	Categories
Rainy Morning	I do not know?	rain,
Unzipped Lips	Quatern	faith,family,philosophy,d
Untitled	Free verse	america,truth,
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Beausoleil	Light Verse	history,philosophy,
Forbidden Fruit	Quatrain	angst,heart,heartbreak,lo
Caress My Soul Sweet Poet	Sonnet	appreciation,love,poetry,
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When I Stop and Pray	Lyric	devotion,faith,inspiratio
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Finding Love:	Sonnet	analogy,joy,love,
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Vietnam Victim	Elegiac Lyric	daughter,father,war,
Come Hold His Hand	Sonnet	age,appreciation,dad,emot
The Daydream	Free verse	autumn,beautiful,
Homeless:	Sonnet	loneliness,
Happiness	Free verse	abuse,depression,happines
Tenderly	Narrative	farewell,love,
Silent Hearts	Cinquain	lost love
Soulmate Love	Free verse	best friend,blessing,devo
Fly My Way:	Quatrain	love,romance,romantic,
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Bye Yesterday, Hello Today	Enclosed Rhyme	deep,freedom,how i feel,l
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This Journey So Short:	Sonnet
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Words For Those With No Voice	Free verse	allah,death,evil,holocaus
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Yesterday's Fragile Truth	Rhyme	angst,betrayal,depression
Fingertips and Spider Webs	Rhyme	love,
One Old Hat	Free verse	life,
Natures Gift	Sonnet	blessing,nature,
Sweet Ballet	Rhyme	dance,
Cardboard Boxes	Free verse	art,christian,humanity,li
Doors	Quatrain	appreciation,beautiful,ce
Mythology of Celtic Circles	Rhyme	destiny,mythology,philoso
Real Men Wear Pink	Rhyme	character,funny,humor,per
Fate and Destiny	Sonnet	destiny,dream,fate,
Summer Wine - An Erotic Romance	Rhyme	desire,love,lust,sensual,
A Camping Morn	Rhyme	april,
Tranquility	Couplet	children,god,granddaughte
Delusional Reality Check	Dramatic Monologue	anxiety,children,happines
As I Awoke:	Couplet	appreciation,blessing,mor
Life - Is - Now	Quatrain	growth,happiness,life,wis
Remembered In Thy Full Bloom,Collaboration By Robert J Lindley, Teppo Gren and Michael P Clark	Rhyme	art,creation,deep,devotio
This Thing Called Love - With Maria Williams	Rhyme	hope,love,
When We Were Young	Sonnet	analogy,life,
Belles	Verse	beauty,
Lonely Words	Sonnet	loneliness,poetry,sad,
Lovers' Feast:	Sonnet	love,romance,
Starry Starry Night - POTW	Dramatic Verse	anti bullying,art,beauty,
Shine On, Euterpe, Let There Be Light	Quatern	11th grade,
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Building a Fantasy	Rhyme	fantasy,
Pass the Peace Pipe	Couplet	spiritual,star,sun,
Bones Lament - Collaboration With Darren White	Rhyme	fun,humorous,
Glory of Her Magnificence	Free verse	change,longing,love,
Listen	Rhyme	abuse,
A Smile Appeared	Free verse	wind,
This Cowboy's Done	Cowboy Poetry
Carry My Soul:	Etheree	allegory,music,universe,
Too Late For Tears	Free verse	absence,angst,death,mum,
Self Pity	Rhyme	break up,loneliness,lost
Earth's Guardians:	Haiku	earth,
No More Worries For Tomorrow	Pantoum	faith,future,god,song,
Two Pairs of Shoes	Rhyme	humor,
Trust Me Baby This Is Love	Sonnet	longing,love,poems,
Teacher's Pet	Sonnet	crush,funny love,humorous
I Am More	Dramatic Monologue	poetry,
Just a Small Poem For a Friend	Quatrain	beach,beautiful,bird,flyi
Sam's Last Indiscretion	Rhyme
Blackbird Haiku	Haiku	beauty,bird,morning,natur
Queen of Dance	Rhyme	dance,love,soulmate,
Coma	Free verse	emotions,feelings,memory,
Humanity	Rhyme	art,beauty,
Belly Laughs	Monorhyme	cheer up,fun,happy,sad,su
Take My Advice	Rhyme	time,
Cinder Girl	Rhyme
A Hundred Springs	Rhyme	age,
Death Shroud	Quatrain	angst,anxiety,death,image
Infatuated Love Limerence	Free verse	desire,love,romance,
From My Lips To Santas Ears	Crown of Sonnets	christmas,humor,
Karma	Limerick	philosophy,
Maria Down Under	Rhyme	beach,lust,satire,vacatio
This Thing Called Love - POTD - With Winged Warrior	Rhyme	love,mystery,romance,woma
My New Girlfriend	Free verse	beauty,dream,fantasy,girl
Sucker Punched	Rhyme	age,humor,life,
A Tender Wound	Enclosed Rhyme	analogy,lost love,memory,

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Becca Teagan	United States	Read
Adarah Witherspoon	United States	Read
Agnes Krampe	United States	Read
Amaris Vazquez	United States	Read
Teresa Skyles	United States	Read
Kelsey Skabelund	United States	Read
Jaque Ro	United States	Read
Jeremiah Morgan	United States	Read
Ananya Mohit	India	Read
Edward Mccall	United States	Read
Heath Mason	Australia	Read
Daniel Martinez	United States	Read
Caycay Jennings	United States	Read
Jan Allison	Isle Of Man	Read
Daniel Turner	United States	Read
Charles Reese	United States	Read
Elizabeth Smith	United States	Read
Tom Larrow	United States	Read
Emile Pinet	Canada	Read
John Mudge	United States	Read
Diane Lefebvre	United States	Read
William Smith	United States	Read
Darren Watson	United Kingdom	Read
Kim Morrison	United States	Read
Gary Bateman	Germany	Read
Robert Pettit	United States	Read
John Hamilton	Canada	Read
Keith Logan	United Kingdom	Read
William Robinson	United States	Read
Lu Loo	United States	Read
Elaine George	Canada	Read
Gordon Wickstrom	Canada	Read
Connie Marcum Wong	United States	Read
Brendan Solomon	Australia	Read
Roy Pett	United Kingdom	Read
Debbie Guzzi	United States	Read
S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri	Tanzania	Read
Chuck Melugin	United States	Read
Frederic Parker	United States	Read
Charlie Smith	United States	Read
Robert Lindley	United States	Read
Larry Bradfield	United States	Read
Lenna Walker	United States	Read
Freddie Robinson Jr.	United States	Read
Maria Williams	Australia	Read
Joanna Daniel	India	Read
Gregory Richard Barden	United States	Read
Silent One	United Kingdom	Read
Viv Wigley	United Kingdom	Read
John Gondolf	United States	Read
Andrea Dietrich	United States	Read
Vijay Pandit	United States	Read
Amy Moreno	United States	Read
Charles Messina	United States	Read
Richard Lamoureux	Canada	Read
Anne-Lise Andresen	Norway	Read
Line Gauthier	Canada	Read
Vladislav Raven	United Kingdom	Read
Maureen Mcgreavy	Canada	Read
Caren Krutsinger	United States	Read
Paul Callus	Malta	Read
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