That’s it, period!

!:,?"

 

I don’t like using periods

in any form or fashion

When jotting down my poetry

the lack of them my passion

A comma or a question mark

at times you might be seeing

Perhaps an exclamation point

in ink is often freeing

But periods in any form

to me are kind of funny

Because who wants to stop a line

that reads the day is sunny

Perhaps if I were penning clouds

some nasty weather choosing

To stop that theme with periods

would make some sense in using

But why when they are nothing more

than tiny dots for ending

Would anyone insist I use

this mark I find offending

So sorry Bill, I do not think

you’ll find them in my writing

But still I hope you stop on by

yes that is me inviting

And please enjoy the words I pen

though this I am reminding

There won’t be any periods

to end my lines you’re finding

 

 

 

Author's Note

This is written for a fellow poet, William Michael Reeves who always suggests in a nice way that I use periods in my poetry, which I hardly ever do

Reviews

[Aura]

Oh how so clever Will! I've been led to view this poem after looking at Bill's retaliatory poetry "Will's Web" and I wanted to know what sparked his poetry! Now I know. Ah yes, I too used to dislike using punctuation in my poetry, but I did grow used to it and now I punctuate my poems. But I find that sometimes the period does break a flowy poem, which would have sounded better without the period. Your poetry shows that pretty well! And I just love how you called out Bill in your poem, a brave thing to do! Thanks for sharing this piece with us Will, I really liked it, and honestly, continue to write without the period's, its your own personal unique trademark! :)

[willweb]

Thanks so much Aura. Bill is good sport and is always teasing me about my lack of periods, so I only thought it appropriate to call him out on it in a poem. : )

[Aura]

You are most welcome Will! Your poem reminds me so much of my older poetry that is not posted on the site. I never used periods, or other types of punctuation. The use of punctuation is definitely something subjective that depends on the writer and their preferences I think :)

[keith]

E.E. Cummings
James Joyce
Cormac McCarthy
José Saramago
Marcel Proust
William Faulkner
Samuel Beckett
Junot Díaz
Gertrude Stein
Timothy Dexter

will web
keith

each found no need for periods ... period

[willweb]

That's right. Thanks so much, that is some very cool company.

[Ken e Bujold]

this is a great poem Will. from the opening line blast of no periods right to the end i was swept along on a grand ride. (oops i used a period) especially love the image of "Perhaps if i was penning clouds" the double image was very arresting to me ............... may you never be in need of a period my friend :)

[willweb]

Thanks so very much Ken I appreciate you stopping by and am happy you enjoyed what you found.

[John the Baptist]

Being old school, I value periods as guardians against chaos. But as an old man, it doesn't really bother me if another poet wants to drop periods. It's a matter of taste. As a young man, though, it would really put my pants in a bunch if a woman told me she was missing her periods.

[willweb]

Yep, i guess some periods are better hanging around.

[William Michael Reeves]

All right! That's it! I'm dropping you from my dreams. You aren't going to believe this, but I came so close to dropping the periods in Dreamdrops. It felt over punctuated. I wasn't brave enough. Like Linda said it can be an obsessive thing. To not leave a line naked, wearing nothing but enjambment, can be compulsive. You make an important POINT, not worrying about punctuation is freeing. I can't say I've ever insisted ~ I have come to accept your style. The dishonorable mention has made my day! Thanks for ... the empty space

[willweb]

Thank my friend. I am glad you liked this. It was a thought that hit me this morning and I said to myself, why not. It is always fun to have a little fun.

[William Michael Reeves]

An extra point I'd like to mark: it's not so much the missing periods, but the capitals that follow what would seem to be invisible periods.

[willweb]

Ok, you caught me...I knew someone would figure it out. All of this time I have been using WC as a beta-testing site. I am still gathering data but will release my patented "Invisible Periods" prior to the holiday shopping season. I am hoping they will catch on.

[William Michael Reeves]

I was wondering what that empty space was next to the poetic pastries in the writerscafe case.

[carl]

great fun write well defended reasoning and exemplified with non-usage which i will store in my things to consider and incorporate along with cut back articles and prepositions when writing poetry folder - thanks for the post-carl

[willweb]

Thanks Carl, anything I can do to help. : )

[Lorry]

I like to overuse them, but only to show surprise, confusion or disdain. I started it with the phrase "question mark eyebrows" for the usual look of confusion I get when what I've said is puzzling someone. Now I like to use multiples, like!!! &!, to show my point, or??? and? to show my confusion.
We all have our styles and quirks, but if anyone ever says to you "You can't do that!" just reply "yes I can and I just did!" 😊
But I've said too much and must dash, before the grammar police turn up and beat me with their exclamation truncheons !!! &! 😊

[willweb]

Can I "quote" you on that????

[Lorry]

I say nothing!!! 😊
Ps... Is it racist I said that in an Italian accent? If it is, I didnt! 😊

[willweb]

I thought it sounds Irish, so don't ask me.

[William Michael Reeves]

The grammer police are reading 👀 truncheon in hand. I may have to come make sure your poetic license hasn't expired Lorry.

[Lorry]

My poetic licence was only a provisional, which I think means I'm not allowed on the highways or after dark 😊

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

This is cute and fun and written with good humour. Like Bill, I am a bit OCD when it comes to proper grammar and punctuation. Each writer has his way. It is, after all, his writing. Well done.

[willweb]

Glad you liked this. Bill is always on me about using periods and I just don't use them in poetry. It's just me. But, I thought I would write one for him so he would know I am getting the message,
I'm just not heeding it. : )