From 'the Double' Poem by Morgan Michaels

Miggi dropped his satchel to the ground where it landed with a thud. Crouching down, he opened the flap and took out a small volume.The cover was a brownish-red that finicky people call oxblood. The page- edges were gilded at the edges. There was a water-mark on the title page. The cover, stamped on in clear, gold letters, read:

'Una Guida De Las Mariposas De Cuba'

'What's that'? , asked Langley.

'An old book I found', replied Miggi, 'probably worth nothing.'

He flourished the book.

'When did you become interested in bugs', asked Langley, provokingly.

Miggi laughed because he used the derogatory term 'bichos' instead of 'bugs'.

'Only recently', replied Miggi, mischievously, 'so it's better to have a venerable guide'.

Langley tried not to laugh but failed. He chuckled and felt the uncertainty felt by the good-natured razzed by someone they trust- something felt by the parents of saucey kids. Better to just laugh or fire back? But he recovered.

''Makes sense', he admitted. 'Let's have a look'.

Miggi handed him the book.

He opened it and stared at the front-piece. First printing, Madrid,1909. He whistled:

'A first edition'! , he cried, pushing back his hat.

'A what'?

'Un edicion primero, repeated Langley, guessing the term meant little to Miggi.

'Que es? , replied Miggi, afraid he'd missed something.

'It means, valioso'.