how’s the cannelini he asked
I held out my hands and with them
made a bowl—
it’s very good said I
in case the gesture was not clear
I’ve had it many times before
but today—it’s—especially good—
rich—full of flavor
we cut the butter said he
we cut the butter in half
and before he dashed off
he grinned a wicked grin
beans are cheap thought I
and butter is dear
as I scraped the bowl clean with my spoon
he topped off my glass with the last finger of aglianico
and threw the bottle away
beans are cheap
butter is dear