In my poetry, I like to use punctuation as part of the molding of my language, to set off and clarify meaning, to effect rhythm, to craft my poem better. I like to think of punctuation as part of the finishing touches, like the buttons on a fine item of clothing, or the thine lines and dots that render a painting or craft item more "finished." It's like tying the laces on a good pair of oxfords, like zipping the zippers all the way, like minding the buttons and cuff links, straightening the tie.
Below is a link to an interesting essay, The Mystery of Poetry Punctuation" by Michael Lohr,on the use of punctuation in poetry, and a little history of punctuation in the languages of the world.
http://www.spiderwords.com/lohrmar.htm
As I receive your comments, I will craft this essay in response, sometimes even using some of your statements, with your permission of course, if you allow.
Let the conversation begin!
One thing that I have almost demanded in past critiques is the use of proper English punctuation. Lately I've been thinking much about this problem of whether or not to use the standard in punctuation that has been taught in English composition classes.
In keeping with my way here, I've decided to go ahead and post at least a paragraph on the topic, so that I can sooner hear from any of you who wish to weigh in on the conversation. I use the word conversation rather than debate, in seeking rather a consensus instead of debate, as I feel the community spirit is more conducive to growth as poets and as a poetical community.
So, do you use punctuation in your poetry? How do you choose what you use? Why?
In keeping with my way here, I've decided to go ahead and post at least a paragraph on the topic, so that I can sooner hear from any of you who wish to weigh in on the conversation. I use the word conversation rather than debate, in seeking rather a consensus instead of debate, as I feel the community spirit is more conducive to growth as poets and as a poetical community.
So, do you use punctuation in your poetry? How do you choose what you use? Why?
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I agree, the decision of how to punctuate is tricky.
Line breaks create a kind of punctuation and can eliminate the need for end-line commas. I guess it would depend on the diction of the poem. More formal language, I think, requires formal use of punctuation. The main concern I have is with being consistent within the poem.
I like your analogies of punctuation being the finishing touch. I'll often sit with a an almost finished poem, playing around with various ways of punctuation, including line-break decisions.
I am a stickler for correct use of punctuation, when it is used. Poor use can really interfere with clarity.
Thanks for this column, and the link, which I'm off to read.
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Using 'correct' punctuation in poetry is complicated, because different genres have different rules and, of course, freeverse poetry has no rules by its definition. In sonnets, for example, it is correct to use commas and full stops (known in America as periods). In haiku, no punctuation should be used.
So, I think the use of punctuation should depend on the poem. In terms of freeverse poetry, poets should consider how it eases and affects the poem- for example, a lot of punctuation slows down the poem whereas the lack of punctuation speeds the poem up. The use of a lot of punctuation can be seen as old fashioned or as modern, depending on if it's done through traditional means or in a strange way such as AP's 'dirty pretty' type poetry.
Hope this helps. Not really a strict definition of how I write- more an overview of what I think most poets do.
Pozo
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Well, now...
It is so strange. In writing, I attempt to always use correct punctuation and grammar, yet with poetry, I feel it's dependent on how the poem is stylized. Strangely, the one poem of mine that you commented on (thank you very much, by the way) was one in which I did not use punctuation; however, for me, punctuation tends to be the norm. Correct punctuation certainly adds to writing, and certainly in formal writing should always be observed, but with writing poetry comes a certain freedom left to the poet to decide. Although puncuation can perfectly structure a poem, sometimes the insertion of commas in their proper places hinder the flow and rhythm of a poem. In addition, if we had not recognized some of the great "grammar rebels" such as e.e. cummings, we would be lacking some of the greatest work ever published.
This column certainly addressed a relevent point that poets here should consider. Thanks, Cafe! -
In any prose text, be it a formal essay, a short story, a letter or a comment, I always use correct punctuation and grammar. If a poem I do one of the following:
1] correct punctuation and grammar PLUS a capital at the beginning of each line;
2] no punctuation at all; possibly no capitals at all - however still correct spellings and grammar.
The problem is that many teachers (in Britain at least, and probably in the USA too) are pig-ignorant themselves, having been brought up in an environment where the message and the meaning were thought to be more important than the correctness of the language.
I accept that language changes but that is too often used as an excuse for sloppiness and ignorance of grammar.
To show how open-minded I am, I even accept US "spellings" with the exception of "gotten" which makes me puke whenever I see or hear it.
Pet hates: misplaced/missing apostrophes and cuz/cause to mean because. Oh yes and "anyways" too.
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In my poetry, I also like to use punctuation. I feel that the poem flows better when you use them. So you get the rhythm of how the poem is to be read. Most of the time when people read poetry (at least I do), it occurs to me that the poem doesn't make as much sense as it should when punctuation isn't used. Mainly, I feel that is because I can't understand the poem's rhythm which usually throws me off.
Punctuation in poetry keeps the poem in fluid constant motion I believe. Though an overdose on punctuation can easily throw a poem off-balance.
Furthermore, I think punctuation should be used in poetry but not to the extent that the poem doesn't make any sense. And always have punctuation at the end to make the poem seem complete. I believe when a reader is looking at a piece and there is no punctuation it is as if the piece is left unfinished.
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