that was big money then.  BIG
money then,
he said, for just a book of poems—although
i kept it all these years,
and pick it up from time to time, so
i must’ve spent it wisely after all.

and after all
it’s like a friend who comes around,
who’s not around
too
much
to be a friend;
but always, when you see him, has
a word or phrase to drop that’s new
and is
forever

reappearing,

just to astonish you.