From blossom to bottle (Edit 2)

[tectak]

First off thanks to everyone who offered some opinions and ideas on this one...it has been a long journey from where I started out from.
@ tectak. Thanks for the info on your punctuation preferences. Just ideas but as you seem to be so passionate about punctuation have you considered putting up some punctuation guidelines on one of the threads (? where - will think on this).

I quite often have to go and have a look at some of the websites offering guidance so I think perhaps it might be helpful to others and at very least you can then add a link when you are giving crit to save repeating yourself on the common errors.

Just an idea

Thanks for your help AJ.

Hi cider,
Strange as it may appear, my passion is not about punctuation per se, but about consistency in poetry. Some poetry is written by exponents of that black art, free-verse. I understand the concept and dabble in it myself but note that it is increasingly taken to mean "free to do as you please to the detriment of the work."
If you want to punctuate to clarity then it is an onus on you to do it consistently well. Once you stick in a single comma, full stop or question mark, you have given the game away and yielded to common sense To then NOT punctuate when you aught'a is ridiculous....but if by trying the little squiggly marks you can add another dimension to your work, arrow to your quiver, thoroughbred to your stable...then why not really get stuck in and TRY to learn the right way.
It is the mark of the seasoned failure who decrees that punctuation is not a consideration....believe me, it is. It's just that such an admission of a skill gap is easier bridged by denial of need than by the effort of sustained progress. Once you know a great deal about punctuation (and believe me, I do not) you write with the swagger and the confidence of the communicator. Once you know enough about punctuation (and I am just about there) you can write with the swagger and confidence of the dilettante...but why not? the worst that will happen is that someone will correct you.
When you know nothing about punctuation you can still swagger confidently....but boy, in this forum we will laugh heartily behind your back in front of you, and tell you it's OK ; if you think you are great...go home happy No more on this lest the old retainer brushes us into the discussion forum...heaven forbid!
Best,
tectak