I wrote this little poem in about an hour, in homage to a wonderful
Broadway legend, and to the theatre where it resided for most of its run.
Imperial
I know this now-forgotten place.
The ground on which I stand
Was once the dust of Paris
In a now-forgotten land.
Young men sang of freedom here,
Of new, exciting places
And death replaced the glory painted
Once upon their faces.
I know this now-forgotten place
The floor beneath me turned
As people sang of love and pain
And fear and triumph burned.
A young girl gave her life here,
And that's the price she paid
A student cried the night she died
Upon the barricade.
I know this now-forgotten place
Where sin was born and bred.
A masquerading couple found
Their fortunes in the dead.
Where girls, turned out by heartless men,
Must sell themselves to danger
And bequeath their daughters to
A midnight passing stranger.
I know this now-forgotten place.
A small girl dreamed out loud
To anyone who'd listen of
Her castle on a cloud.
And all the while a restless man
Pursing through the night,
Put his faith upon the stars
Doing what he thought was right.
And people walked here, talked here, stalked here,
For nearly fifteen years.
Instilling hope and spirit,
Bringing onlookers to tears.
And now the lights are dimming,
The flag, once more, is flown.
It's time at last to say adieu,
And bring this legend home.
Yes, I know this silent place,
I hear the ghosts within,
The people singing of their freedom,
their glory and their sin.
And though nothing can last forever,
This beacon to the poor
Will echo on throughout the night,
Into tomorrow,
One day more.
"Les Miserables," March 12, 1987 - May 18, 2003
Broadway legend, and to the theatre where it resided for most of its run.
Imperial
I know this now-forgotten place.
The ground on which I stand
Was once the dust of Paris
In a now-forgotten land.
Young men sang of freedom here,
Of new, exciting places
And death replaced the glory painted
Once upon their faces.
I know this now-forgotten place
The floor beneath me turned
As people sang of love and pain
And fear and triumph burned.
A young girl gave her life here,
And that's the price she paid
A student cried the night she died
Upon the barricade.
I know this now-forgotten place
Where sin was born and bred.
A masquerading couple found
Their fortunes in the dead.
Where girls, turned out by heartless men,
Must sell themselves to danger
And bequeath their daughters to
A midnight passing stranger.
I know this now-forgotten place.
A small girl dreamed out loud
To anyone who'd listen of
Her castle on a cloud.
And all the while a restless man
Pursing through the night,
Put his faith upon the stars
Doing what he thought was right.
And people walked here, talked here, stalked here,
For nearly fifteen years.
Instilling hope and spirit,
Bringing onlookers to tears.
And now the lights are dimming,
The flag, once more, is flown.
It's time at last to say adieu,
And bring this legend home.
Yes, I know this silent place,
I hear the ghosts within,
The people singing of their freedom,
their glory and their sin.
And though nothing can last forever,
This beacon to the poor
Will echo on throughout the night,
Into tomorrow,
One day more.
"Les Miserables," March 12, 1987 - May 18, 2003