Les Barker has spent his poetic performance career in folk clubs where audiences are seldom shy. A major tool he has used to hone his craft is simply paying attention. Is the audience fidgety? Are they rolling their eyes? Are they groaning in delight at the pun or progress of the poem? By paying attention to and learning to read the audience, you will find ways to improve the oral presentation of your poetry and find what works for writing the poetry. Some of your works will go over well. Some won’t. Some might start well or end well. By presenting your poetry and paying attention to the audience, you’ll know where to revise your poems.