"David Cassidy moved to the ICU
         on Sunday as his condition began
         deteriorating..."    The Daily News

Go figure:
David Cassidy lies dying as
Charlie Manson laughs
into the hollow cough of truth.

And we children of the 70's,
no longer innocent spectators,
wonder:  Who was right afterall?
The Lover?  The Hater?
Who was right? 

And "I think I love you...
but what am I so afraid of?"
I'm afraid WE ARE helter-skelter--
that's what!

And madder than Alice's Hatter,
madder than an Oracle--
ignored, good ol' Charlie laughs
along with the voices in his head
at us, because he knew more in
those few days in Hollywood
than the Partridge boy would
ever understand:  Fame is fleeting,
unless it is fear based.
Then, then... it lasts a life time.
Amen.