I don't know, it seems to flow much better read with a lighter heart. But who knows if he generally felt that 'poetry reading is serious biznss' or was nervous or actually felt that it was a ponderous piece. I mean...cheek to cheek just came out strangely when he read it. That is not a serious phrase...he could have had them jowl by jowl for that. :p)

Also, in looking that one up, I rediscovered his The Waking, which I'd loved in college (mostly because of the first line...I am not a perky early bird and parodied this thing endlessly). It has a lot more to it 20 years later.

You have a lovely radio voice, btw.