PERIOD (.) - the period is used to show a final end to the thought/sentence and indeed verse; after an abbreviation. The reader will most likely stop to think about what has been read so far.
COMMA (,) - the comma is used to show a separation of ideas or elements within the verse. In a poem, you can also use it to eliminate excess words. Eg "The sun, rain, road flogged him to death" eliminating 'and the' twice. It is also used to separate two or more complete, independent clauses in a verse:
SEMICOLON (;) - the semicolon is used to connect two independent clauses in a verse or at the end of a verse (linking two verses):
COLON (:) - the colon is used after a word introducing a quotation, an explanation, an example, or a series:
DASH (– /-) - the dash is of two types, endash (short) and the emdash (long/double dash).
The endash (-) is used to connect numbers or elements of a compound adjective:
he ruled 6 years, 1990 - 1996
feared Lord of Lagos - Abuja power play
The emdash (–) is a little more complicated. It is used, within a verse or at the end, to indicate a break in thought or verse structure; introduce a phrase added for emphasis, definition, or explanation; separate two clauses (like the semicolon):
Life is not a joke –
though the living sometimes laughs
it is a heavy yoke - many gladly bear it
HYPHEN (-) - the hyphen is the same symbol as the endash but it is used creating compound words, particularly modifiers before nouns, name or syllables of a word:
Life is a power-hungry slaver
Treating the six-year-old girl
Like a hell-doomed grandpa
PARENTHESES ( () ) - the Parenthesis is a curved notations used to contain further thoughts or qualifying remarks
Life is not a joke
(Though it sometimes makes us laugh)
It is a heavy yoke"
APOSTROPHE (') - the apostrophe is used to show the omission of a letters from a word, possessive case:
Buhari's pow’r was nation'l
GEJ’s clout was region'l
QUOTATIONS MARKS ( “ ” ) - the quotation mark is used to separate the part of a verse that is directly spoken by a persona in the poem or quote attributed to another source and presented word for word.
The son of man said "I am the way"
but men needed freedom, not a way
ELLIPSES (...) - the ellipses mark is used to show an omission of letters or words (especially in a quote) that do not interfere with the meaning. It can also show a transition or time lapse:
Life dealt me a bitter blow
Stole my heart, my wealth…
Now I am a corpse walking
Or
"I am the way… life"
The son of man said