Symbolized as ’ or ', the text character that marks the possessive form of a noun; for example, John’s book, or a place where one or more letters have been removed from a word or phrase; such as, isn’t or don't.

If you look at it closely, you’ll see, no denying,
An apostrophe’s simply a comma that’s flying.
Or, having no wings, like a salmon it’s leaping;
It’s up, and its altitude somehow it’s keeping.
But the best it can do, at this height,
None too high,
Is to serve, as in "it’s,"
When you’re lacking an "i,"
Or tell you it’s Molly’s (her house)
Where they’re playing,
Or help when its "Top o’ the mornin’"
You’re saying.
Or sayin’ or playin’, yes, either of these,
If you—let us hope not—are droppin’ our g’s.)


Though you know the apostrophe’s
Never in "his,"
"It’s" and "its" can be tricky
Unless you’re a whiz.
This being a mark that’s not easy to use,
While you’re crossing your t’s
Mind your p’s and your q’s.