Mystery of cake in rain is solved

RE “The SoCal Songbook: ‘MacArthur Park’,” [June 10]: I was always puzzled by that verse [that began with] “Someone left the cake out in the rain ... “ and assumed that it was just silly hippie poetry. Now, after nearly 40 years, I understand what the composer meant and that he wasn’t on drugs when he wrote the lyrics. I’m glad that is cleared up, but it spoils the joke. I always liked “MacArthur Park.” Maybe it was the melody and the rest of the lyrics: “Spring was never waiting for us, girl/It ran one step ahead/As we followed in the dance.... “

GRACE E. HAMPTON

Burbank