Well . . . I dunno. For a poetry reading, I think I'd generally rather hear the poet, whether he/she is a fantastically gifted reader or not. Here I'll duck back onto Ed's comment that there's nothing quite like hearing the poet reading his/her own stuff.

It seems to me that a dramatic interpretation from a different party is its own distinctive art form. To be appreciated, for sure, but distinct from the authorial voice, and from the "moment" created in the hearing of that voice.

But I still want poets to avoid talking into their chests, hiding behind their bangs, eschewing microphones in rooms too large for that . . . that kind of thing.

Herring405