Proper punctuation is required for most published works in English. However, poetry tends to change all rules making punctuation optional and improper punctuation common.
I have a simple, selfish reason for punctuation at the end of every line in my poetry. When it comes to creating the HTML version for my website, I must include a breve tag <br> to force a new line and a paragraph tag <p> to force two new lines. These tags are difficult for me to type and I have no voice equivalent to create them with my dictation, so I use my punctuation at the end of the line to create find (.) or (,) and replace with (. <p>) or (, <br>) that allow me to add the tags very quickly when creating my poem webpages.
The AD editor does this for everyone who pastes their poetry here, sometimes with bad results because it is HTML, not just WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) text. But most poets are not coders and don't realize what it takes to make a webpage and why being absolutely correct is essential in hypertext and totally irrelevant in poetry.
Copyright © Ronald W. Hull
9/25/18
Carol here. I hope you are well thank you for "Why I Punctuate Poetry" I have added you to my Professor lists, as I learn so much from you.
You know I am reading "Hanging by a Thread" and enjoying so far. Had to take a break as I went on vacation. I am back to "Hanking by a Thread", and am surely looking forward to great reading. I have a reading buddy
and he is also reading "Hanging By a Thread" we both appreciate your writing. We will give a review upon completion. Thank you my new Professor!
Carol Wilson-Mack
Regards, Michael