The Party Is Over ... for a While

(Marylouise Oates is taking a six-month leave of absence.)

My au revoir was planned as hip and flip;

I’m off to write my novel (at long last).

Black-ties and veal critiques won’t be my trip;

My book’s on ‘60s pols--good times long past.

My scrapbook and my trusty Rolodex

Can catalogue the eight years that I’ve spent

On premieres, benefits, the social treks

To parties that were bombs--or heaven-sent.

But what I’ve seen (and hope sometimes you’ve read)

Is that beneath the mink and diamond glitz

Folks here care and some of them have led

The rest of us to work, to do our bits.

My first salute is to groups fighting AIDS;

You’ve now become too numerous to name.

But let me quick, before the memory fades,

Cite Peter Scott who first stood without shame

To raise cash and hope for those hit so hard.

Kudos La Liz, Joel Weisman, Barry Krost,

Mathilde Krim--your work is still so marred

By deaths--so many gone, so many lost.

In this big city, some kids stand alone

‘Til helped by women who put style aside.

Bravo Colleagues--you’ve added perfect tone

To help those kids. And right beside you stride

United Friends of the Children.

To you all--To Nancy Daly, Stacey Winkler: Cheers

For your constant presence at MacLaren Hall.

And when singling out the special volunteers

Begin with Music Center folks. They’ve heard the call.

But with museums, groups and causes

It’s not the structure that makes L.A. care,

But each person who joins in, who pauses

In his own life to help others fare.

In my six months away, there are things I just won’t miss,

But to certain great people, let me send you a kiss.

Cheers to the Byrens, the Kleins and the Plitts.

To the O’Malleys and Dodgers, a season of hits.

To Rodeo Drive and its very special Fred Hayman

To other friends of the homeless, a rousing amen.

Memories crowd up. The Wrathers, Jack and dear Bunny,

Cary Grant, who could be both sexy and funny.

The singing debut of the Betty Clooney Foundation;

Spago--the night of my engagement reservation.

Seeing the city curtsy to Fergie and Andrew

Like it’s done to the Wassermans, Edie and Lew.

Big givers shine on both sides of the aisle,

Like Mrs. Margaret Brock--politics with a smile.

And recent arrivals like Ted Field and Susie;

Every party at Green Acres sure has been newsy.

Give a hand to old hands in the charity game--

Without SHARE and its Boomtown nothing’s the same.

While “Show Co” puts stars on the politics trail,

Judy Levy, Charlotte Conway sell out without fail.

Sarah Pillsbury and her Richard Kletter

Join Marilyn, Alan Bergman--none better.

While the left side woos the “Sandalnistas”

The Reagans hold court here--at least as

Long as people want to climb

Up where the White House air’s sublime.

Cheers to Trumps, Bistro Garden and the Bistro;

Toasts Esther Wachtell and Carmine Marinello;

To Barbara and Marvin Davis parties galore;

To Aaron and Candy, a house with one floor.

To downtown types, like Arco’s Cooks, Lod and Carole;

To Councilmen John Ferraro, Bobby Farrell.

To Deputy Mayor Mike and Lacey Gage;

To Ed Sanders for making Dukakis the rage;

To great couples--Hirsh, Stanley and Anita;

Cheers Marco, Joan Weiss--there’s just no one neater.

The Special Olympics and Mr. Johnson, that’s Rafer;

To DARE and the LAPD--we all feel much safer.

To City Atty. Jimmy and his Monica Hahn;

To David Jones, Milo Bixby and the million-dollar lawn;

To the best in hoteliers--Helen Chaplin, Jacques Camus.

To Jane and Marc Nathanson--may you never feel blue.

To the Mikes--Eisner, Ovitz and Medavoy;

To Ruth Reichl’s new baby, Nick, what a joy.

To the wondrous members of the Consular Corps;

To Cedars’ great women’s guild--decades more.

To Lucy’s El Adobe in its 25th year,

Now that Jerry’s back, you’ll find him eating here.

To Mickey Kantor, to Kathinka and John Tunney;

To Comic Relief--which made fund-raising funny;

For the Legal Aid Foundation--protectors of law;

For the Normans--Lee, Lear and of course Brokaw.

I’ll miss Army Archerd--my eyes grow misty;

Such fun to party--and of course, George Christy.

To Joan and Bill Luther, to Linda Hunt--

Good public relations--keep up L.A.’s front.

To Chuck Fuentes, to Ramona Ripston,

To Bob Burkett--a real political piston;

To photogs, Lee Salem and Alan Berliner;

To John Madden, who is considerably thinner.

To all of the Reagans’ special First Friends,

OK. Enough. This is where my space ends.

Some night soon--Thursday--just about 7,

When the posh suit up to go hear Andre Previn,

My black tie and glitz will remain unworn.

And if I feel a little forlorn

I’ll just ask Bob and Mike to go out for Chinese.

To them and to you, hugs and a squeeze.