"Death Comes to Hollywood"

for Rick Castro

Lou Tellegen plungd scissors
into his heart
Clara Blandick slid a plastic bag
over her head

Florence Lawrence   ant paste
Pete Duel   gun
John Belushi   speedball

& the fliers
Irene from Knickerbocker Hotel
Peg Entwistle from Hollywood sign

wannabes & hasbeens
all took death
into their own hands
while other hands
gave death as a gift
to William Desmond Taylor & Elizabeth Short
Ramon Novarro & Sal Mineo

& in her quiet room
Carla Laemmle watchd it all go by
finally slipping into sleep at 104