The Acceptance Speech "Good evening. Words! (produces notes) 'I am celebrating my love for you with a pint of beer and a new tattoo. Imagine there's no heaven. I don't know if you're loving somebody. To be a poet and not know the trade, to be a lover and repel all women. Twin ironies by which great saints are made, the agonising pincer-jaws of heaven. if you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with kings but not lose the common touch, if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much. If you can fill the unforgiving minute with ixty seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it. And what's more, you'll be a man, my son. It's only words, and words are all I have, to take your breath away.' Thank you for this honour, and the opportunity to read some poetry at a British awards ceremony. It's one of my favourite things to do. Thank you and good night."