The Pride Of Mount Vernon


"Let me tell you what I wish I knew, when I was young and dreamed of glory…"

-                                                                                            Washington to Hamilton from the play Hamilton


The Pride of Mount Vernon handed me his quill.

Pride. I know too much about pride –
or maybe not enough. Would I chase glory
if I was as sure of myself as I appear?

He tells me it’s history
watching to see how I will prove myself.
All I can feel are the eyes
of those who expect me to fail.
I imagine their faces
when I prove them wrong.

I don’t have to tell him that.
He knows. Says he was the same way once.
This seasoned veteran -  
it’s hard to imagine him
as unskilled at his craft,
impatient to be better.

He is all patience now.
Analyzing maps and correspondence,
pointing out the strength of our resources,
and how to shore up what I have missed.

The Pride of Mount Vernon hands me his quill.
I follow his example,
and hammer out the rough edges,
seasoning the ink 
with everything that flows in me.

Song Choice: History Has It's Eyes On You from Hamilton




This poem is linked up to Imaginary Gardens With Real Toads, Tuesday Platform. Following the prompt I was inspired by the phrase, "The Pride of Mount Vernon" from the play Hamilton (the phrase actually appears in a different song, Right Hand Man). I always loved the strong bond of friendship and mentorship between George Washington and Alexander Hamilton depicted in the play. It would have been all too easy for the elder Washington to be dismissive of young Hamilton, but he helped Hamilton hone the best part of himself, to the benefit of the country.

51 comments:

  1. This is such a heartening poem, Rommy!💞 My new favorite from you. Happy Tuesday!💞

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  2. Proving them wrong can be a big motivator...was for me! Lovely piece, Rommy.

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    1. One of the reasons I really like the musical. Alexander Hamilton as presented in it was a tenacious guy.

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  3. This is one of those poems that sends us (okay, me) into the realms of memory... It makes me think of the people (and circumstances) that pushed (and still push me) to move forward... We can build such wonders when we work together, when we remember that we are just human, that we can only become more when we embrace our fellow...

    ...and yes, what Timoteo said.

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    1. We were all young and brash once, doing our share of ridiculous things. I'm thankful for those who push me forward too, and I'm happy to pay it forward when I can.

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    2. And that's what makes the world a place to feel proud to call home, people sharing the best part of themselves... not spreading the things that makes them less.

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  4. An interesting take on history. Well done, Rommy.

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    1. LOL, well, the whole musical the poem was based on makes for an interesting take on history. It's basically Founding Father Fanfiction. Knowing that going in, it's still a wonderful play, if you enjoy the modern style of music it uses.

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  5. There is no greater gift to the young and inexperienced than to be mentored -- if they're smart enough to realize that.

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  6. What a lovely tale of mentoring, of which I was quite ignorant.

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    1. The play sometimes embroiders reality in spots, but the two men were close friends. There is a new book out that supposedly explores that in depth called Washington & Hamilton: An Alliance That Forged America.

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  7. I like the way he grows and becomes more sure of himself in the poem. Your language really fits the time period too.

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  8. I do not know much of Hamilton's life but I appreciate the way you have described the friendship, and mentoring.

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    1. Thanks Kerry. The play is a very dramatized version of history, LOL, but I'm glad I was able to convey the strength of the bond as depicted in the play.

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  9. Well, I love everything Hamilton... and George Washington was not without his flaws but who isn't? I have listened to that soundtrack umpteenth times and always get goosebumps. Real flesh and blood is not without vice and virtue - and these two men certainly had their share of both. Love the poem.

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    1. Yaaaaaaaaas! I am a huge fan of the play. The music is just so amazing. And yes, the play didn't shy away from Hamilton's flaws. They displayed them in the grand style of a Greek tragedy and set them to a modern beat.

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  10. Interesting to get a glimpse of this history.

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  11. I enjoyed how you explored history with your creative poem & worked the relationship of Hamilton and Washington so effectively into it!

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    1. Being a huge fan of the play really inspired me.

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  12. What a great read this is. Emerging nations of old have fascinating histories, sometimes herioc and sometimes horrific (thinking of my own Australia's past). I often wonder what people were like as children, just as I wondered what mine and others children would be like as adults. In most cases we would be wrong.

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    1. Yes indeed. The play didn't shy away from Hamilton flaws too.

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  13. I have do not know the story behind... but to have someone mentoring like this will give you the strength you need.. love it (and so sorry for not reading it when it was first linked up)

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    1. LOL, no worries. Thanks for stopping by.

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  14. I too am speechless at this....you have captured the moment of these great men and the mentorship of each I can only surmise.

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  15. Back for another read. I especially liked the lines about all the eyes expecting him to fail, and their expressions when he didnt.

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  16. I enjoyed this, an interesting take. Well done.

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  17. I echo all the comments. Well Done'
    ZQ

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  18. I love where you went with this. I don't think that anyone ever lived 'a good life' without someone believing in them.

    The lines:
    ' All I can feel are the eyes
    of those who expect me to fail.
    I imagine their faces
    when I prove them wrong.' ... are inspired. Success is the best revenge.

    Wonderful writing!

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    1. It's amazing what can happen when people believe in you.

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  19. Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow - had not had a chance to see the play but it seems to be a great example of good governance of mentor relationship. Thanks Rommy!

    Hank

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    1. I haven't seen the play either, but I've listened to the soundtrack so many times.

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  20. It's always good taking a history lesson in Rommy's class!

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  21. Don't know the back story but proving people wrong (though not perhaps the right reason to do something) sure can give one great satisfaction!!

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    1. Yes, it is petty, but it does feel good. };^D>

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  22. Such an enjoyable read, thank you for sharing.

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