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The Hug

The Hug He is loving caring In love with the idea of hugging Yet part of him The scared part Doesn't allow him to fully give himself His hugs have the obligatory arms The move forward The joyful smile The enthusiasm Yet they lack believing The feeling of deserving After all there are scars The names The looks he's endured His hugs are a safety check A cry of please love me A hint of I'm not sure I can trust you Trying desperately to find his place in a world The one he has never felt was or is his world So he tries to carve a place for himself One hug at a time Until he can melt himself into it's arms Until he believes he has a space A place that is his A place unconcerned with the bending of genders Or wrapped in the cellophane of churchie staring people He is not some preconceived idea So he will hug them Not fully, just a bit Until they start to hug him back Until he really feels it Because he really Truly is And always has been A loving person A caring person One who doesn't understand Why? why? Why have so many chosen to hurt him! I for one will gladly Happily, lovingly Reach out and embrace him Because this wonderful Gentle Thoughtful young man Desperately needs a hug! Dedicated to Ryan. This poem came after participating at "The inspired word cafe". After reading my poems a young man gave me a hug. As each performer performed he would give them a hug. I watched both him and the reactions of those being hugged. The experiece left a mark on my being that needed expression. Therefore thanks to Ryan this poem came to life.

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Sandra Haight

Date: 5/26/2015 2:20:00 PM

Hi Richard, I've been away for 10 days, still catching up with PS! Congratulations on your fine win for your poem! Full of inspiration and wisdom. Sandra

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/3/2015 9:26:00 PM

A belated thanks Sandra.

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 5/25/2015 5:47:00 PM

RICHARD, CONGRATS ON YOUR BIG DEAL WIN. ALWAYS ~LINDA~

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/3/2015 9:28:00 PM

Thanks Linda.

Skat A

Date: 5/25/2015 2:28:00 PM

This is a sweet win. Sk

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/3/2015 9:29:00 PM

Thanks SKAT

Tim Smith

Date: 5/25/2015 10:51:00 AM

Truly inspirational Richard...everyone needs to be hugged, to feel loved. What does it cost us to give a hug, a couple of seconds. It could mean a lifetime to the one we hug....congrats my friend...a big hug to you Tim

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/3/2015 9:29:00 PM

Thanks and a big hug back to you my friend.

Jan Allison

Date: 5/25/2015 9:39:00 AM

Dropping back with my congrats and a hug as ever:-) Jan xx

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/3/2015 9:28:00 PM

Thanks Jan.

Liam Mcdaid

Date: 4/10/2015 6:46:00 PM

a truly beautiful dedication richard wishing you a blessed weekend

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/25/2015 5:40:00 PM

Thanks Liam, sorry for the late response.

Paul Callus

Date: 4/7/2015 10:55:00 AM

It is in giving without ulterior motives that we receive in return. Trust and understanding play a big part in all this. Excellent write. // paul

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/25/2015 5:41:00 PM

Thanks Paul, you are right it does.

Brian Baumgarn

Date: 4/6/2015 12:54:00 AM

I have been part of a recovery group for 30 years, and people hug there, ALOT. What is great is they are sincere and there is no lust or misunderstanding involved. Just the joy of seeing someone else we value and care for deeply.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/6/2015 10:30:00 AM

I find hugs fascinating, you can learn so much about a person when you hug them. There was a teacher Dr. Leo Buscalia who taught a course on love and he would hug each of his students. His course was booked up years in advance.

Brian Baumgarn

Date: 4/6/2015 12:51:00 AM

I loved this, Richard. Like a coming of age poem but actually applying to all of us. We are all desperately in need of hugs, to believe we are needed, that we have purpose. Thanks so much for this write and for commenting on the two sonnets I wrote. Night, Hold Me I actually wrote and finished at work, and I usually have to revisit things many times. All my best, Brian

Len Gasun

Date: 4/5/2015 2:37:00 PM

This is a very beautiful poem and dedication to a friend or to your dear one, Ryan, my dear friend Richard. I'm so glad to read it tonight. Hugging is one of the best gestures to show our love to others. Personally, I love to hug my mom, friends, & everyone especially my pupils everyday. There's no any day that I can't hug them & it feels so great that they also return the hugs to me. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful poem. More blessings! love lots and biggest hug, Leonora

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/6/2015 10:31:00 AM

Thanks for the visit and blessing Leonora.

James Marshall Goff

Date: 4/5/2015 4:07:00 AM

Original...contemplative...good work! jimbo

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/5/2015 7:29:00 AM

Thanks Jim.;0)

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/5/2015 12:21:00 AM

Is this a Ryan from Soup or from your life outside the Soup? He sounds like a good person. I used to be this way as you describe. I did not like giving or getting hugs when I was a child. had to learn to adapt to it! A very insightful poem

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/5/2015 1:02:00 AM

No he is not from the soup. I am glad you were able to adapt, hugging is such a wonderful human experiance.

Njeri Hunjeri

Date: 4/4/2015 6:33:00 PM

Nice touching dedication.

Emile Pinet

Date: 4/4/2015 9:05:00 AM

Your poem falls within the category of caring, compassionate and imaginative; armed with an energy of its own that propels it into our sphere of reality. Emile. #7

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/4/2015 9:52:00 AM

Wow, thanks Emile!

Monterey Sirak

Date: 4/4/2015 8:31:00 AM

Your loving and understanding words are a hug. My neice has always ended her calls to me with the words "Mind hug...can you feel it?"

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/4/2015 8:34:00 AM

I like it! Thanks Monterey.

Hannington Mumo

Date: 4/4/2015 7:29:00 AM

A touching poem. I really like reading you works.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/4/2015 8:08:00 AM

Thanks Hannington.

Funom Makama

Date: 4/4/2015 6:27:00 AM

comfort, love, understanding, the feeling of acceptance and close connection all can come from a hug... This piece is deep and real. Thank you so much for these inspirational lines

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/4/2015 8:07:00 AM

Thanks Funom.

Charmaine Chircop

Date: 4/4/2015 12:04:00 AM

Cont-A big hug to every Ryan,HappyEaster my good friend.You mist my eyes so many times.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/4/2015 1:52:00 AM

Hugs back.

Charmaine Chircop

Date: 4/4/2015 12:02:00 AM

Everyone deserves a hug Rick,a hug without being judged.No wonder He finds it hard to trust people,because us people(so called of the church),have a tendency of forgetting our sins,or our blessings of notbeing in the other's painful shoes.We judged wothout realizing that if we were in the same situation or life story as the other We would have acted the same.We should beg Ryan for forgivness if We made him lack trust in us ,and with open arms we should make him feel everyone deserves a hug.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/4/2015 1:52:00 AM

I see you understand. As Christians we should be about the loving not the judging. God is well qualified to handle that part on his own. In fact he provided us a sacrifice that takes that cup away from us. Thanks again for your thoughtful comment Charmaine.

Arthur Vaso

Date: 4/3/2015 6:08:00 PM

I am at a loss for words here, this is my definition of success, when you can write a poem that moves people such as this, well, its like winning the Stanley Cup of poetry. Brought tears to my eyes.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/3/2015 7:13:00 PM

That's a good thing because I'm not sure where I put my skates. Thanks Arthur this comment made me smile.

Sandip Goswami

Date: 4/3/2015 4:47:00 PM

First time I read a poem about 'HUG'. Very nice tribute. God bless you dear.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/3/2015 5:49:00 PM

Thanks Sandip. God bless you as well.

Eileen Manassian

Date: 4/3/2015 8:55:00 AM

Bending of genders got to me. This is sad, indeed. Nothing hurts more than when someone questions your identity. Very well written, Rick. I hope he reads and knows that someone cares....I'm really into hugs myself. Congrats on your POTD. Left you a post. Happy Easter...All the best!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/3/2015 9:33:00 AM

Thanks Eileen, I feel you really got this one. Thanks and a big big hug. I too love hugs.

Jan Allison

Date: 4/3/2015 8:35:00 AM

Wonderful write Richard - I wonder does this young man have autism? Hugs jan xx 7 xx

Jan Allison
Date: 4/3/2015 12:02:00 PM

I remember watching a biopic on Temple Grandin and she when she was stressed she used to crawl into a box like contraption that was close fitting and 'hugged her' and she stayed their until the stress was relieved - I know parents of some autisitc children are encouraged to hold the child tightly to help them during stressful situations - it calms them down - was only watching a programme on it only yesterday! Hugs Jan xx

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/3/2015 9:35:00 AM

Yes I can see how this could bring up that thought. There are many varying degrees on the autism spectrum.

Jan Allison
Date: 4/3/2015 8:46:00 AM

I only ask because your poem really reminds me of students I work with who have Asperger's syndrome.Hugs Jan xx

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/3/2015 8:39:00 AM

No not that I am aware of.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 4/3/2015 8:33:00 AM

- A hug can mean a lot ...... and it's free! - I like hugs :) - I agree with mama !!! - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 4/3/2015 9:03:00 AM

- true :,,_

Mama Bear
Date: 4/3/2015 9:01:00 AM

Some times a hug costs a lot of emotional turmoil to people not accustomed to getting one

Mama Bear

Date: 4/3/2015 8:26:00 AM

How true!! Everyone needs to be loved and to be hugged is a wonderful sign of love. Many many hugs to you across the miles Happy Easter Love Mom

Eileen Manassian
Date: 4/3/2015 8:56:00 AM

Hugs from me too, Mama Bear. Wish you all the best. Will email you soon! :) XO

Jan Allison
Date: 4/3/2015 8:35:00 AM

Happy Easter Mama Bear:-) Hugs as ever Jan xx

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 4/3/2015 8:34:00 AM

- hugs mama !!!