parenthetically speaking

please do not
puncture my poetry
with unwanted or
wanton punctuation

commas i suppose
are required for prose
but totally unnecessary
for terse purple verse

better to be clean
in your cummings
and goings than to
leave a blot or dot

and if you cannot
decide where to pause
feel free to break laws
but be warned that

the punctuation police
are determined to deter
any pregnant poets
who miss a period


Melissa hosts poetics at dVerse and prompts us to write sans punctuation

30 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Warren Richards's avatar Warren Richards
    Jun 12, 2026 @ 22:12:15

    I won’t police words that go straight to the punctuating point. arresting. 😊👍🏾

    Reply

  2. purplepeninportland's avatar purplepeninportland
    Jun 12, 2026 @ 19:56:00

    I love the wordplay in this, Lynn. Very clever!

    Reply

  3. Jennifer Wagner's avatar Jennifer Wagner
    Jun 11, 2026 @ 15:02:29

    Cleverly composed, Lynn! “cummings” and your close are just perfect!

    Reply

  4. thetigressawakens's avatar thetigressawakens
    Jun 10, 2026 @ 18:50:38

    Nice warm and hearty poke at the rules of punctuation, well crafted! Mmm good writing!! 🙏

    Reply

I welcome your comments!