Yesterday, I entered the lion’s den and survived to tell the tale! There where 20 lions in total. They sat in silence for most of the time, the quietness of the room being occasionally punctuated by an approving roar (sorry laugh) when I (or my fellow poet and colleague, Toby Wheeler) regailed the audience with a humorous poem. At the end of both performances these mighty beasts of the jungle put their paws together and clapped, leaving both Toby and I to emerge to fight another day!
To be wholly serious for a moment. As a visually impaired person (I can discern outlines but not facial features nor can I read print), it was impossible for me to see the faces of the audience. Where they nodding in approval, listening with undivided attention or glancing at their watches praying for the event to end! The sound of laughter during my humorous poems gave me an indication that my performance was not sinking like a lead balloon. However, as mentioned above, the audience was, for much of the reading silent making it impossible for me to ascertain their mood.
Following the reading, I chatted to a colleague and asked his opinion as to how my reading had gone down with the lions. As a sighted person he, also found it difficult to ascertain the mood of the audience. However his impression was that they enjoyed the performance which strengthens me in my desire to give further readings.
So hear I stand neither blooded nor bowed. I hope to give further readings in the near future and will post details on this site once dates are confirmed.

Kevin