Em(ergency) Dash

A not-so-comprehensive guide

My own artwork, all rights reserved :)

When pouring thoughts onto a page
You sometimes have a choice —
How to connect your coupled thoughts
While keeping natural voice

Sure, you could use the mighty comma
Or perhaps, a parenthesis
The impasse is — which to employ,
To augment emphasis?

Well have no fear, our heroine’s here
All primed to make a splash
By dint of our dear Emily,
Say hi to the — Em Dash

It’s useful to explain — expand,
Expound in more detail
It’s vital in Em(ergencies)
When deadlines could derail

So cast aside the semi-colon
What mark to use? — Don’t stress
Just take care not to overdo
— ’Cause — that — would — make — a — mess —

@ Rob Dods, 2022