WHEN AUDEN SHOWED UP
Ever since Auden
came to the other side
of the pond
and you read at my college
watching you
at the Big Apple reception
drinking in a powder keg
of words you shared with me
a freshman in the body politic
telling me how you stabbed
at past glories
and encouraging me to write
in that history
of personal recognition
with my own signature
yet following your advice
was not an easily traveled
journey between two oceans.