Notes About The Poem

Sublime Sondheim

A theatre legend - Mr Stephen Sondheim
an icon of Broadway, ahead of his time
smart lyrics, lush music, bold rhythms and rhyme
the curtain has fallen on a writer sublime.

// Stephen Sondheim wrote lyrics and/or music to West Side Story, Gypsy, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Company, Follies, and many more musicals //

Written 1/13/2022
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Hutchings Avatar
February 18, 2022 at 11:45 AM
John, I didn't even know you entered this contest! Wow! Congratulations! I love your poem! What an honorable tribute to a legend! Your last line is absolutely perfect, "the curtain has fallen on a writer sublime". The way you made this rhyme also made it very powerful. Way to go! Much love and admiration...Meghan
Watt Avatar
February 19, 2022 at 4:28 PM
I guess I snuck by your radar gun, lol. Thank you for noticing that last line with the curtain falling. My original draft had that as line 2, but then I thought it was perfect as an ending. Most Broadway writers create either words or music; he is on the very short list of those who did both very well - Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Noël Coward, Stephen Schwartz, maybe two or three more. Fortunately for me, there were only 4 lines to write, as there are only 3 good rhymes with Sondheim, lol! Thanks for the wonderful comment, my friend.
Y. Avatar
February 15, 2022 at 8:10 AM
Hi John, Good tribute! Congratulations on a well-deserved win. Have a great day-Alexis
Watt Avatar
February 15, 2022 at 1:50 PM
Thank you Alexis. I appreciate your congrats and kind words. Enjoy your day ~ John
Miller Avatar
February 14, 2022 at 3:30 PM
Wonderful epitaph John - congratulations on your win ! I see we chose the same person to write about. He was indeed a man of “ bold rhythms and rhyme” - I love that description. He has bequeathed us all a rich legacy of wonderful and moving musicals.
Watt Avatar
February 15, 2022 at 1:49 PM
Yes, I see we were singing from the same sheet of music. Thanks for the kind affirmation, Mike. Your epitaph was very deserving of its win.
Peck Avatar
February 14, 2022 at 9:46 AM
Beautiful tribute! His music lives on!
Watt Avatar
February 15, 2022 at 1:47 PM
So true. Thanks for stopping by, Ann.
Anaya Avatar
February 14, 2022 at 8:17 AM
You can't talk about the great composers, lyricists, and playwrights of musical theatre without mentioning Stephen Sondheim! I still play Gypsy over and over! Congrats John!
Watt Avatar
February 15, 2022 at 1:47 PM
West Side Story and Into The Woods are my favorites of his, but also love to hear Judy Collins sing "Send In The Clowns". Thanks for the lovely comment.
Cunningham Avatar
February 14, 2022 at 3:26 AM
Wonderful tribute to a very talented man John, his music will live on for ever more. Tom
Alex Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 8:48 PM
Great tribute-filled epitaph on Mr Stephen Sondheim, who's a known multifaceted personality.
Watt Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 10:30 PM
Thank you for the kind visit Christuraj!
Roper Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 6:18 PM
Great write, John, congratulations on your win.
Watt Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 10:30 PM
Eve, thank you for stopping by to spread your kindness upon my day. Hugs ~ John
La France Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 2:46 PM
John, congratulations on your great win in the contest, wonderful words for Stephen ~ Constance
Watt Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 10:29 PM
Thank you, Dear Heart. I appreciate the kind words and congrats. Blessings ~ John
Wolf Avatar
January 22, 2022 at 8:18 PM
In the spirit of Sondheim have you penned this, O Poet. May his music last forever. Magical Melodies, gw
Watt Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 8:17 PM
Thanks GW. My favorite of his is Send In The Clowns, recorded by Judy Collins. Absolutely gorgeous.
Dietrich Avatar
January 21, 2022 at 11:08 AM
this is an excellently written tribute, John. I like it VERY much.
Watt Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 7:12 PM
I so appreciate your awesome support, friend
George Avatar
January 20, 2022 at 12:56 AM
A lovely rhyming epitaph giving great honor to the deceased, encompassing the manifold facets of his personality ! Beautiful John.
Watt Avatar
February 13, 2022 at 7:10 PM
Thank you, Valsa. So kind of you.
Marcum Wong Avatar
January 17, 2022 at 3:16 PM
An icon of the theatre who will be sorely missed for his creative talent and the gifts he left behind. A lovely tribute John. Blessings xxoo
Watt Avatar
January 18, 2022 at 5:11 PM
Yes, he touched many lives with his talents and lifelong commitment to musical theatre. Thank you for the visit and kind words, Connie.
Baker Avatar
January 13, 2022 at 5:42 PM
Wonderful Epitaph, John, should do well in the contest. Have a great day! Bill
Watt Avatar
January 14, 2022 at 5:19 PM
Thank you Bill, you do the same ~ John
Hankins Avatar
January 13, 2022 at 4:45 PM
Superb tribute to a superb musician and "theater legend," John. Best wishes in the contest.
Watt Avatar
January 14, 2022 at 5:19 PM
Thank you Milton.
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