Metamorphosis Poem by gershon hepner

The moment that she saw the diamond
he knew that she’d forgiven all;
the stone which “You are mine for hire” meant
was virtually epiphanal.

Her body hummed, and he responded with
a melody antiphonal,
transforming him into a megalith
embraced by what was tiffanal.


Inspired by a review by Ben Brantley of “Dirty Blonde, ” a play written by and starring Claudia Shear which opened at the Helen Hayes Theater (“She Lost Her Reputation, Y’know, And Never Missed It, ” NYT, May 2,2000) . Brantley writes that Ms. Shear finds the enduring substance in the smoke and mirrors of one actress’s stardom, allowing Mae West to shock and delight once again. He writes: “It’s a sensibility that reaches epiphanal heights in a scene in which Mae and Jo turn into the creature who would forever be identified a Mae West.”

5/2/00