During an appearance on NBC's "Today" show, co-host Matt Lauer asked the Spanglish writer how he'd spent his weekend.

"I see where you're going with this, and I'm going to preface it with just saying — y'all know I don't talk about my personal life," Morales said.

Lauer replied: "So, I — do I need to feel sorry for you?"

"Yeah, I'm trying to sell two books in a slow market, man. Absolutely. And I would appreciate it," the one-time Nuyorican poet  said.

Morales, who hung out at Irving Plaza for the Amigos Invisibles show Friday night, could be seen wearing what appeared to be an over-21 drink bracelet on his right wrist.

When Lauer continued to ask whether Lopez had moved out of their Brooklyn home, Morales responded, "That would fall into the category of personal. And that's where I'm going to leave it."

Lopez's representative didn't immediately return a call Monday, but told The Associated Press on Sunday that he had no comment.

Originally published on June 8, 2004