ON FIRST LOOKING INTO SHEEHY’S ‘NEW PASSAGES’

Much have I traveled where no man grows old,

And many winsome girls and women seen;

Round many L.A. poolsides have I have been

Which bards in fealty to Narcissus hold.

Oft of middlescence had I been told

That sharp-eyed Erickson made his domain;

Yet did I never feel its edge so keen

Till I heard Sheehy speak out loud and bold:

Then felt I like some surfer of dark skies

When a new starlet swims into his ken;

Or like Hugh Hefner when with bloodshot eyes

He retreating sirens scanned--and his limp men

Looked at each other with a mild surmise--

Silent, atop Disney’s cold Matterhorn.

RALPH LA ROSA, LOS ANGELES