too close to poem

I would posit that if your favorite poem is one you’ve written, you are not a good poet.

search me

He was not the kind of poet whose poem you’d carry in your pocket.

known by heart

Without glancing at the contents page or index he cracked open the book at the very poem he wanted to read again.

ultimate compliment

No higher compliment can be paid to a poem than to have it typed out, folded, and then slipped into one’s breast pocket.