Heck! I can't remember all my poems (or let's say I wouldn't entirely
trust myself not to 'fluff' them), but when I 'read' them I only look down once in a while at the paper, which I hold as unobtrusively as possible.
I think it's important to sound natural, smile, use your hands expressively and make regular eye contact. I did two 'readings' (I feel the need to punctuate the word now, after reading that article!) last week, to a local Over 60s group, and a British Legion group. I always make sure it's a 'performance' - they're right about that part - but it's the material that matters most IMO. A fantastic
recital of rubbish doesn't cut it
