There are thirteen punctuation signs, apart from capitals, in the first four lines. What is the most convincing explanation you can give for each one or pair?
‘Hometown’; well, most admit an affection for a city:
grey tangled streets I cycled on to school, my first cigarette
in the back lane, and, fool, my first botched love affair.
First everything. Faded torments; self-indulgent pity.
What is the overall effect of this level of punctuation when you read/hear the first stanza?