The poem can inspire the reader to live more intentionally and to focus on what truly matters in life. It encourages the reader to reflect on the way they live their own life and to consider the ways they can make a positive impact on the world around them. The poem can serve as a reminder to celebrate the joys and accomplishments of the deceased, while also reflecting on the lessons they taught us and the impact they had on our lives.Īlternatively, the poem can be enjoyed as a philosophical reflection on the nature of life and the importance of living a meaningful existence. It can be personalized by reflecting on the life and legacy of the deceased and how they spent their dash. The poem can be used for a funeral as it highlights the importance of a life well-lived and the legacy we leave behind. There are various punctuation items that can be described as dashes, and we will get to them all, but we. They take the reader aside, and then draw that reader to the next bit like a good dance partner in the lead. Among punctuation marks, dashes have a certain panache. The poem encourages the reader to reflect on their life and how they can make the most of the time they have. A Guide to Em Dashes, En Dashes, and Hyphens. The poem suggests that what matters most is not the material possessions we accumulate, but rather how we live and love, and how we spend our time on earth. The poem 'The Dash' by Linda Ellis is a reflection on the importance of how we live our lives, as represented by the dash between the dates of our birth and death on a tombstone.

Would you be proud of the things they say He noted that first came her date of her birthįor you never know how much time is left, He referred to the dates on her tombstone

The dash poem text