Poem: Burr - Misunderstood American

Burr – Misunderstood American

I am not throwing away my shot

Fateful day where aim was true

A shot was “thrown” to much ado

But was that more contrived excuse

Preparatory actions one might deduce

Determined foe who would not relent

Though ample chance was underwent

Hamilton more did instigate

‘Twas Burr who penned to mediate

Slurs sprung forth in Alexander’s wrath

Burr’s cool hand sought other path

I am not throwing away my shot

History makes Burr a shifty fiend

But to strike a deal was how he leaned

A politician, true, with all that hints

No more, no less, men before or since

Rivals conspired to ruin his name

First New York then Virginia same

1800 did not connive to steal

Campaigned for “Jeff” with fullest zeal

He was cast aside by the doubting Thomas

Career was lost, a broken promise

I am not throwing away my shot

Ventured west in a fevered state

But not the traitor that became his fate

Filibuster goal was a common theme

Of Spanish lands many eyes would glean

Though foolish in his ill-laid action

To split the nation was no attraction

His legal mind was marked outstanding

For middling classes sought better standing

And while quite the scoundrel in romantic fares

For women’s rights had fewest peers

Burr was flawed like any man must be

Yet much is lost by history

Reduced to villain by word and song

Lin Manuel, a genius, gets so much wrong

Most profiles writ hold Burr stained quite unfairly

We’ve heard his name but know him barely

He did not throw away his shot/He threw away his shot

Copyright SGW 2018

Footnotes: Based largely on information from Nancy Isenberg’s biography “Fallen Founder – The Life of Aaron Burr.” Repeated line from the Broadway musical “Hamilton.”