For the life of me, I just couldn't tell you where it's gone. I left it in the little bowl on top of the website like I always do, but the JavaScript cat bumped up against the home page, the bowl got jostled and when I looked, the comma was gone. It's sure annoying but it just keeps happening.
It's why I'm so glad you're here, dear reader. Can you maybe find me that comma? And if you find it, could you send me its location through email or by leaving a message in the guestbook? Thankfully, recent advances in technology mean that the comma has remained confined to the perimeter of the museum, so it's somewhere nearby, at least.
If you do find it, as a token of my gratitude, I promise to write you a sonnet that I'll post on this page. You will have that and my eternal gratitude.
The last time I lost my golden comma, it was found by Rajan, who spotted it on the Mannics Model 800 page in the museum of old calculators, on 18 december 2021 - almost precisely a year after the previous comma detective.Rajan of Delhi, hawkeyed friend
Among history's kings do you reside
Beholder of the beginning and the end
Your eyes uncovered and your arms wide.From that lofty perch unleash your gaze
that caresses us, yet strikes us down
kneel we worshipful in the loving daze
in which we swim and blissfully drown.Down from that spire, for a mortal like me
to aid in the quest with which I am tasked
to hand me my comma and nod knowingly
to do all of this, unexpected, unasked.Rajan! God of Commas! Humble servant to Allah!
From the crossroads we will walk as brothers to Valhalla!
The first time I lost my golden comma, it was found by Derek, who found it on the Android bootanimation page on 23 December 2020.Sweet Derek! who loves cheese
holder of that keen, sharp eye
that spotted my comma with such ease
who took that grand effort, but why?Was it for credit or for sport;
for renown or a voice from above?
or for something of greater import
for solidarity and for love?O Comma-finder! Keen-eye-holder!
The gold of that comma is the gold of your Heart
That beats steadier, cooler and bolder
Than that of a lion in the prime of its art!The comma is returned, dear Derek-Magpie
and my debt to you will last forever and aye.