Semicolon. It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.

[billy]

Sometimes I like to add punctuation to a poem, but most of time, I would like the reader to make their own inflections. I do this because I don't want a poem to have just one tone. For me, it's better if the reader creates their own meaning entirely, so that my words are merely inspiration for their thoughts.

I read. I spewed a bit. I punched a cat. I might not have punched a cat. I don't know. I can only use full stops. Other punctuation is pointless. I like ambiguity. Bananas.

is that how you mean when we dont use punctuation we do so in a way that the reader can still make sense of whats being said we use enjambment and white space not to do so invites the reader to fuck off before they make their own inflections because it's a fucking ball ache trying to work out how a poem should should be read is hard on most given days but i know lets make it really hard for the fuckers to understand my intent oh thats right i dont have any intent its a fucking puzzle im writing

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I have just noticed a flaw in this: it is a heap of cock.

The informatics dept at Sussex- in the form of one Larry Trask - asserts glibly that a semi-colon may only be used to join sentences. That is depressing on a personal level, as my grand-daughter wants to go to Sussex. Evidently, it is not what it was in the days of Prof Eysenck.

First, there is no reason to exclude it from joining phrases, thus:

You never knew with him: shucking peas; jumpin' around; swimmin' in the lake; buildin' a tree-house; readin' books. Oh I knew he'd go to the dogs.

It may join words. When he was grown, he was a good son, but he was forever a-killing;torturing;maiming and I don't know what.

It is used when enumerating items , thus:
Upon hearing the Applicant the Court now ORDERS

I) The property known as 'Billy's Castle' be sequestered; and

II) The Official Receiver in Bankruptcy DO SEIZE all those chattels listed in Appendix A; and

III) The proper authorities be notified that the said Billy is now deemed to be an outlaw



I can think of a few dozen other uses. Perhaps Larry would spend his time more profitably teaching 11 year olds about 'informatics', whatever the fuck that is.

I hope these comments are of help.

why did you bring my castle into it; you bastard

i put it (the semi colon not the castle) where i think it should be and move it when i'm told too. great post abu