Any Author to Any Friend

Every time I run into you, Luke,
you ask me: ‘Look,
‘how about my sending that boy of mine
‘over to your place
Tor a copy of that book you just got out?
‘I’ll read it,’ you tell me, ‘and
‘send it right back. Okay?’

— Just fine.

But on the other hand,
I live pretty far out, and there’s no point
in going to all that trouble & making your boy
climb three flights up to my flat.

Look, Luke,

I’ve thought of a simpler way.
You know that paper store in the Square,
across from Widener? Books everywhere,
poems all over the place. Well,
you just walk in & say: ‘Please,
‘Felix,’ — his name is Felix — ‘will you sell
‘me a copy of M. V. Martial’s latest vol.?’
Will he? I should hope to tell
you he will! and all
spick & span and bound in deep cerise.
Price? Three ninety-nine.

— ‘Three ninety-hell!

‘You aren’t worth that much.’