Punctuation

one day

I found myself

just rolling up

the thinnest possible film

of my tormented soul

(the same exact way

a long time ago

my beloved father

rolled up cigars)

 

 

by touching the soul

my fingers read

the most confusing story…

 

without consent

out of pure spite

all punctuation

present and past alike

has disappeared

into the dark pitfall

of a presumptuous life

 

 

at the end of the page

also known as “post scriptum”

all commas and all question marks

have taken an unexpected orderly place

 

the posthumous reader

with no regard

for the initial meaning

can now at will

use his own punctuation instead

or

may want to distribute mine

as freely as his imagination allows

while changing the meaning of one’s life

 

 

P.S. This poem was selected and published in The Anthology "The New world of Contemporary  Poets" Critorion Publishing, Bucharest 2006

 

Reviews

[Vincent Moore]

This is an amazing piece and I am always stunned by your talent as a writer/poet. Punctuation is a very personal art, many know how to use it artistically and many fail miserably. You my dear have elevated its use by allowing the reader to decide! Well penned, rated high and shared.

[Petra Vlah]

Vincent, dear friend - not only do I believe in giving my readers the freedom to interpret my words "as freely as their imagination allows" I encourage them to do so. For that reason most of my poems are open-ended

[David Scott]

I have read many poems about punctuation. This is the first time theynate offered to the reader. The author seems to have no control over the outcome. At least, she does not exercise her rights to redistribute the punctuation once it has been disrupted.
Very interesting and unique.

[Petra Vlah]

One's life is being judged and interpreted by others according to their own understanding and sensibilities. Trying to impose a personal vision is futile if not arrogant. From that point of view, "Punctuation" is a matter of opinion

[David Scott]

Yes, it is a difficult process to learn to accept. Especially when we feel misunderstood. You are a strict but excellent teacher in this lesson... ;).

[Petra Vlah]

I know you meant it as a compliment, but let me make it clear for others who may read this poem in the future. This is anything but strict. I am simply giving people the freedom to read my poems any each way they want to. In reality, punctuation is present only in writing and is meant ONLY to facilitate intonation, which in itself can change the meaning (good actors/bad actors reading the same script)

[David Scott]

Oh no... I meant learning how to accept the process of others judging us and giving them the freedom to do it. Strict in the sense that none should impose even their own identiy on others perception. I was addressing the response not the poetry.

[Petra Vlah]

That makes perfect sense, glad we agree

[sakshi arora]

ma'am there is so much to learn from you

[Petra Vlah]

We can all learn from each other and that is the whole purpose of shearing. Thank you for your kind words Sakshi

[sakshi arora]

your welcome ma'am :)


your welcome ma,am :)

[sakshi arora]

your welcome ma'am :) :) :)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i like this is titled "Punctuation" but has very little...

it's invisible...as with most of my poems...but i like to let the reader punctuate and interpret for him or herself. "as freely as their imagination allows"

this is a very cool write.

and yes, it seems to disappear into the black pitfalls of life...

oops, there just went another period

[Petra Vlah]

Thank you Jacob,
Poetry is an acquired taste and it may take years to develop. It is the faith of poetry to be "invisible" to most people as it is the very essence of expression and it requires a a certain mental and spiritual preparation

[Jack V.]

Thank you for sharing your work. Lovely write.

[Petra Vlah]

Thank you Jack for stopping by and for leaving a comment.

[Petra Vlah]

What a beautiful poetry walk in the mind of an ancient European, loved this! :) thank you for spreading your words among us, and welcome to WC.

- Elisa

[Petra Vlah]

Thank you Elisa for welcoming me into this community of great writers. I am glad you liked this poem and I just left a comment on one of yours.

I see you have much talent, and it's a wonderful written piece, I'm so happy you join the community! feel welcome, and I loved your poem! for it has that real elusive feeling, I adore.
I saw your comment, thank you so much! did replyed you :)

[Petra Vlah]

Thank you Elisa for your kind welcome. I already feel good in this site

That's so great to hear Petra, thank you for writing beautiful poetry, I shall come back soon for more of your catalogue. Happy writing :)

[Pete Langley]

I enjoy the anarchy of this piece. It allows a free flow of thought ...and of poetic music. My hope is that you embrace other forms with the same poetic grace. Well done. P.

[Petra Vlah]

Thank you Pete. At times communication is so hard that it seems we are all misplacing the punctuation

[Onku Ghosh]

Great thought!! What if all punctuation really disappear? We will have sentences with no meaning....or we will have to guess the meaning of each and every sentence....that would be great fun.As always, this piec e is very well writen. I enjoyed reading it immensely.
Will you please read my poems Topsy-Turvy and Of An Era Gone By. You might find some similarities with your poems.

[Petra Vlah]

Thank you Onku. Punctuation or not, we are still in the guessing game when it comes to communication. I read your poem "Topsy-Turvy" and I enjoyed the probable chaos that IF may create (just to make life more fun... LOL)

[Onku Ghosh]

Will it be asking too much if I ask yo to read my poem Motherhood, which is very close to my heart?Ofcourse I'll be reading other poems of yours

[Petra Vlah]

More than happy to read your work and so far I liked evreything you posted

[Onku Ghosh]

The feeling is mutual.I just love reading your poems.

[nobody]

Petra this is a fascinating idea and one that has been recognized certainly with regard to history but never on such a personal level and described quite like this. Changing the punctuation - brilliant!

[Petra Vlah]

For poetry, I never used any punctuation and just hope that by breaking the lines will do it. Let's just say I want to give the readers the freedom to interpret it any way they want to or "as freely as the imagination allows" LOL!