Lin-Manuel Miranda, craftsman of words, and creator of the theater sensation Hamilton, penned a sonnet as acceptance speech for the first (of many) Tony’s won on Sunday. I have posted it below (as quoted in Playbill).
“My wife’s the reason anything gets done.
She nudges me towards promise by degrees,
She is a perfect symphony of one.
Our son is her most beautiful reprise.
We chase the melodies that seem to find us
Until they’re finished songs and start to play
When senseless acts of tragedy
Remind us that nothing here is promised, not one day,
The show is proof that history remembers;
We live through times when hate and fear seems stronger,
We rise and fall and light from dying embers,
Remembrances that hope and love last longer.
And love is love, is love, is love, is love, is love, is love, is love, is love.
Cannot be killed or swept aside.
I sing Vanessa’s symphony, Eliza tells her story.
Now fill the world with music, love and pride.”
(Source )
I love this for so many reasons, and I think one of the biggest lessons Miranda teaches by example is every aspect of his career is that excellence opens doors for an audience. When you speak, and write, (or rap) with excellence, people listen. Plus anyone who can drop a sonnet as a beacon of love on a day when the nation reeled from a horrific mass murder and hate crime, has my immense respect.
Pencil & Uke 