Punctuation Quails

comma on the left

quotation mark on the right

punctuation quails

© 2018 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Gambel's Quail - Catalina, Arizona 

The Apostrophe Catastrophe

Some people's
use of the
apostrophe
is a catastrophe,

but you're not 
among those writers,
because your skills
are more refined.

It's not that hard,
really, to remember
when and where
to hang this
little hook:

dangling up there
joining friendly letters;

taking the place
of i in it's,
it is especially
beneficial;

or shyly
possessing things,
like the poet's words
on New Year's Eve;

or humbly 
substituting itself 
as a contractor 
in word construction,
when other punctuations
can't, or don't,
or simply won't
accept responsibility.

The apostrophe 
has no feelings of  
superiority to its
lower cousin 
the comma,
it's merely 
doing its job,
in the place it belongs,
overseeing things,
bringing meaning
to this lovely language
that's ours.

It is always eager 
to help its letter friends 
become words.
That's why it's there, 
to be useful
to you and yours.

It has always,
always loved
s the best,
don't you agree?

Now that we're 
in agreement,
we are able
to move on,
are we not ?

© 2017 Richard Havenga

Photo Location: Catalina, Arizona