re_flags_multiline.py

#!/usr/bin/env python


import re

text = 'This is some text -- with punctuation.\nA second line.'
pattern = r'(^\w+) | (\w+\S*$)'
single_line = re.compile(pattern)
multiline = re.compile(pattern, re.MULTILINE)

print 'Text:\n %r' % text
print 'Pattern:\n %s' % pattern
print 'Single Line :'
for match in single_line.findall(text):
    print ' %r' % (match,)
print 'Multiline    :'
for match in multiline.findall(text):
    print ' %r' % (match,)