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The Literal Visual

Of Commas and Periods as Overly-Exaggerated Poetic Devices.

The Literal Visual

 


I’ve only once encountered a poem where the poet deliberately made the common comma even more common than it already was. Such was the subtlety of his poem’s art that I could not hope to ever give it the full appreciation it so deserves, and therefore I had forgotten it completely. But, since this is the only instance that I can recall the comma being used in literal visual sense, then I must produce an example as proof. Well, here it is:


Subtle, music, crawls, up, my, spine

And, I, am, not, a, flower, today

But, the, bee, that, never, bothers

To, help, his, fellows, get, honey

 


Periods, on the other hand, are much easier to employ in such endeavors. Or, so one may think. Punctuation can be impressively powerful statements as much as subtle, cunning suggestions unto themselves. Consider the shortest correspondence ever sent through snail mail as an example:

Mr. Whittle: ?

Mr. Waddle: !

 


P. Pepper: Hey! I thought you were supposed to give an example of PERIODS, not Question Marks and Exclamation Points!

 

Abernaith: Oh! Er, sorry about that. Here it goes:

.
..
….
……..
..
..

Make.
Take.
Break.

Live.
Love.
Die.

..
..
……..
….
..
.

Choose.

 



P. Pepper: Oh, as simple as that?

Abernaith: Do you honestly think that was “simple”?

P. Pepper: Well, what should I be thinking then?

Abernaith: *rolls eyes exasperatedly* Oh, I don’t know. They’re just words with periods on them. Maybe the one who wrote them just likes periods a lot. Who cares?

P. Pepper: You’re absolutely right. Who cares anyway?

Abernaith: …



For more information on P. Pepper and Abernaith, visit

Philosophy of Punctuation
allpoetry.com/list/21725


Other Pseudo-Articles:

Punctuation as an Art Form
allpoetry.com/Column/1489164

Smileys Make The Word Go Round
allpoetry.com/Column/1495037

The Freedom of Exclamations
allpoetry.com/Column/1489015



Any complaints, opinions, Views, or violent reactions towards this pseudo-article?
Please feel free to direct all your malevolence (or praise, which is welcome too) to abernaith via im, as Preppy Pepper a.k.a. P. Pepper a.k.a. A Strange Girl is merely a fictitious character who is sometimes preppy, but usually prefers to act like an idiot.



A Note from the Author: In this pseudo-article, the mention of the "shortest correspondence" is largely inaccurate. The characters "Mr. Whittle" and "Mr. Waddle" are purely fictitious persons, but the message itself is officially recorded, though I don't know where, except for the fact that I saw it on television.

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Comments


  • Pamela A Lamppa silver member
    October 10, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    Well considering, I just had to stop in for a peek and I must say, your WIT is uncanny. I have a feeling I may spend some time reading these pages. Thank you so much, she says being careful not to add that oh to easy to to do smiley face. I think there is much to be learned/remembered here about the meaning behind puncutation and when to use it, or not to tuse it. ~Pam <= You do get a rose though.

  • Hazel Eyes
    September 24, 2005
    Edit | Reply
    Your wit is truly outstanding. Though, I wouldn't expect too many people on here (if anywhere) to grasp it and appreciate it's humor. You've better luck eradicating the world of the many people who pollute literature by lacing it with visually abusive smilies. They make me want to stuff an ice pick in my ear.