3 Janes Go To See Hamilton
3 Janes Go To
See Hamilton
Dedicated to Jane McSweeney and her niece
Jane
A confluence of
Janes in the play-going stream,
pushed upstairs
to the
first balcony.
We take our
seats
but not without
discussion
and shuffling.
At this height
I feel
my vulnerability:
I need
eyeglasses
to read the
Playbill.
Don’t stand up—
for fear of
being pitched forward.
The curtain
rises
and immediately
the audience
begins to sing,
clap and cheer.
It’s hard to
hear
the actors,
and history
passes
at a two-act
clip.
Nevertheless, I
am in the midst
of a phenomena
a country
struggling,
a diverse
cast/audience
taking shots.
We all want
liberty,
happiness,
power, prestige
a chance.
What’s playing
out
two stories
below me on the stage
reflects the
story
playing out on
the streets behind me.
Duels=gun
violence
War=gangs
Adultery/blackmail=how
things get done
The finale and
we
rise
(in retrospect
there is no curtain).
We simply
depart,
a waterfall of
humanity,
pouring out
onto the sidewalks
as we hurry by
folks
rattling cups
for change.
Everyone wants
change.
We say goodbye
awkwardly by
scaffolding and
the Janes go
their separate ways
into the night
into the third
act.
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