Upon first reading this poem, it is written as if a declaration. The use of exclamation marks throughout the poem makes the reader assume that is should be read with gust and energy. However, when hearing the poem spoken aloud it becomes evident why the author named it “Footnote to Howl.” The speaker does emphasize the words that have exclamation marks, but in a much different way. He almost sounds like he is moaning or howling when he repeats the phrase “Holy!” (line 1).  This could be the meaning behind the title- the author is keying people in on how to read the poem. Whenever the narrator isn’t moaning holy, he voice seems thick as if he were crying. Throughout the poem he has a dragged out tone, not too fast but never pausing, the speed remains fairly consistent throughout. In fact, he sounds like a preacher giving a sermon. However, his tone does change, by line 12 when he writes “Holy the fifth international!” it almost is as if the emotion was drained from him and he begins mindlessly reciting lines until he reaches the dramatic climax of “suffering! magnanimity!” in line 14. This could be due to the fact that the fifth international is a revolutionary communism group and “magnanimity” being such as mercy or forgiveness. By placing the emphasis on the beginning of the line, which almost always start with “Holy”( lines 1, 6-15), he brings attention to the irony of the poem. Starting a sentence with Holy often implies that the preceding object would be good or praisable, but the author says things such as “Holy my mother in the insane asylum!” (line 7) and “holy the hideous human angels!” (line 6).  Overall, the performance takes an already dark poem and pushes it even further with the moaning and thick sorrowful voice of the narrator.