Comma’s vs Coma’s [Live Read]

Commas vs Comas

When you need space to breathe,

Put me in between

The words that come next must really matter

In the space you leave

Backs down,

And the only thing that you can do is breathe,

Stay here with me

Just until my oxygen is deplete

Should I wake to find something between you and me,

Remove the distance to your place

I can find myself here every night

And leave no more space

Hearts down,

And the only thing you can do is cry,

Come back to me

Should my lungs collapse, I couldn’t even try

If it’s comma’s vs coma’s

It’s either with you

Or completely apart

You are a piece of me, I am a piece of you

Every day, I’ll be back at the start

Every day, I will be true

Every day, it will be you

If it’s comma’s vs coma’s

Analysis of “Commas vs Comas”

This poem is a powerful meditation on relationships, emotional connection, and the tension between closeness and separation. Through clever wordplay and recurring metaphors, the poet explores the delicate balance between intimacy and absence, represented symbolically by “commas” and “comas.” Here is a detailed analysis:

Wordplay and Title Interpretation

• “Commas vs Comas” is the central metaphor that drives the poem.

  • Commas represent small pauses, moments of breath, and the ability to stay connected even in silence. They imply continuity—a sentence that goes on.

  • Comas signify an absence or disconnect, a state of unconsciousness where communication ceases. They reflect separation, stillness, or even emotional death.

  • The use of “vs” creates a juxtaposition between these two states, highlighting the stakes: the choice between staying connected (through commas) or slipping into isolation (comas).

Structure and Themes of Breath and Space

• Breath as Metaphor for Presence:

  • “When you need space to breathe, / Put me in between” introduces the idea that pauses are necessary for clarity, both in language and relationships. The comma symbolizes the space people need without drifting apart entirely.

  • The recurring theme of oxygen and breath hints at the fragility of human connection. In both literal and metaphorical ways, breath becomes a lifeline—either sustaining connection or marking its absence.

  • “Just until my oxygen is deplete” suggests that the speaker offers all their emotional energy, even at the cost of exhaustion, for the sake of staying close.

• Backs Down / Hearts Down:

  • These phrases imply a progression from surrender to emotional collapse. The “backs down” moment may represent the exhaustion of physical effort, a situation where breathing is all one can manage. “Hearts down” intensifies this surrender, shifting from physical exhaustion to emotional despair, where crying is the only release.

  • This structure reflects the ebb and flow of relationships—times of strain and vulnerability, where giving up feels like an option but emotional attachment remains.

Imagery of Distance and Closeness

• “Should I wake to find something between you and me, / Remove the distance to your place” speaks to the tension between physical separation and emotional connection. The speaker expresses a longing to eliminate any barriers that arise, implying a fear of drifting apart.

• The night as a recurring setting—“I can find myself here every night”—conveys a sense of ritual or repetition. This suggests that the speaker is constantly navigating the tension between intimacy and isolation, trying to close the gap between them every day.

Duality of Dependence and Vulnerability

• “If it’s comma’s vs coma’s / It’s either with you / Or completely apart” emphasizes the poem’s emotional stakes. The speaker feels there is no middle ground—their identity and emotional well-being are tied to their partner. The imagery reflects a binary of presence or absence: either they are together, or the speaker feels entirely disconnected, as if slipping into a coma.

• Codependence and vulnerability are central themes here. The lines “You are a piece of me, I am a piece of you”suggest that the speaker’s sense of self is inextricably linked to their partner. There is a tension between love’s idealization (being “one” with another) and the fragility of such intense dependence.

Repetition and Emotional Devotion

• The refrain “Every day, I’ll be back at the start / Every day, I will be true / Every day, it will be you” reflects the speaker’s commitment and persistence. The repetition conveys the cyclical nature of relationships—how love requires constant renewal, even in the face of challenges. There’s also a sense of inevitability, as if the speaker is trapped in this emotional loop, constantly returning to the same place.

Conclusion: A Poetic Tension between Pause and Absence

“Commas vs Comas” explores the precarious balance between closeness and separation in relationships. Through its clever wordplay, the poem suggests that love requires both pauses (space to breathe) and continuity (connection). However, there is a haunting undercurrent of fear: the possibility that too much space can lead to emotional collapse, turning a temporary pause into permanent absence.

The poem masterfully plays with language and structure, mirroring the complexities of human relationships. Commas keep sentences—and people—together, while comas mark moments where life and connection are suspended. The speaker’s devotion is clear, but the emotional vulnerability throughout hints at how difficult it is to maintain this delicate balance. Ultimately, the poem suggests that love is a daily effort—requiring both breath and presence to survive.