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The Tolerant Man

He feels he possesses a high tolerance. Living side by side with those he abhors Tolerating the smells and the sounds of those lesser men. He is of a proud race, blonde hair blue eyes. A future master of the world he bides his time, tolerating those lesser men. Smiling, imagining the day when he will rule. When he will take what should already be his. Fortunately he is a truly tolerant man. Tolerance of course does have its limits. Tolerance can only last for so long. He holds onto his glimmer of hope, imagining those lesser men hung with rope, one day their fat turned into soap! When the time comes a joyous parade, within a mass grave their bodies laid... But for now he bides his time, with tolerance he toasts with wine. The visions in his head are so sublime he wants what's theirs, he says "It's mein". A sad chapter in human history, sadly these men still walk amongst us. Read my other poem I wrote called "Tolerence" to know my thoughts". For Debbie's "You say you want a revolution" Poetry Contest.

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Anil Deo

Date: 5/20/2020 8:14:00 PM

Richard, "Merci Beaucoup" for this topic. CONGRATS, too! We thought "religious toleration" was a good thing, too. To "tolerate others - and one's spouse - gives the lie to the idea of humanity, love, unity, fraternity, equality ..." I could go on (but won't preach to the Choir)> shalom, shalom. anil deo

Line Gauthier

Date: 12/19/2017 3:07:00 PM

Wow - powerful. An arrow straight to the heart.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/22/2017 9:00:00 AM

Thanks Line.

Freddie Robinson Jr.

Date: 12/6/2016 12:38:00 PM

Very deep poem, Richard. The texture of the "tolerant" man is so subtle and unnerving. The hidden monster next door is so chilling. Love this poem though. Excellent poem. Love always.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/6/2016 12:49:00 PM

Thanks again Freddie, I'm glad you read them both.

Lewis Nyaga

Date: 6/10/2015 9:49:00 AM

Hello Richard.. your poems are full of deep insight and delivered with ease, i sure will be revisiting your page more and more... this is a thought provoking piece.. very relevant society///BLESSINGS

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/10/2015 4:41:00 PM

Thanks again Lewis, I appreciate you reading both. When I do public readings I often combine the two for dramatic effect.

Timothy Hicks

Date: 10/24/2014 5:26:00 PM

When you mentioned the lesser men hanging on a rope is when I started to think it was about Nazi Germany. Not the world's brightest mark on history. Your build-up was subtle and in the end it left with you a creepy feeling - like you ate something sour and wanted to spit it out (and I mean that in a good way... if that makes sense). Always thought provoking, Richard.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/25/2014 9:51:00 AM

Good morning Tim, that is an appropriate physiological response to this piece.

Paul Callus

Date: 7/6/2014 11:42:00 AM

An excellent poem which takes us back to the atrocities of the second world war and the exalted Arian race. Love the way you tackled the tolerant theme and the clues you strewed along the way. // I don't remember seeing this in Feddie's contest(?) // paul

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/6/2014 12:04:00 PM

Read his comment below, he didn't fully understand where I was going with it. English is not his first language so I can see how it could be difficult to get the double meaning.

Arthur Vaso

Date: 6/20/2014 7:34:00 PM

Hi Richard, you know I love poems of a historical nature, and I love twists and turns, double meaning, and a flowing story. You have conveyed the message here very poetically ( Pardon the pun ) This is an A7, if it was up to me I would also make this required reading in schools.

Arthur Vaso
Date: 6/20/2014 7:45:00 PM

Not at all, and of all adjectives to describe you, arrogant is not one of them. You have a way also of delivering a serious message, in a soft kind way, of telling a sad story in a soft light, this is truly a talent! I tip my hat to you!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/20/2014 7:39:00 PM

You are kind Arthur. I recieved little feedback on this one so it is nice to see you caught my double meaning. I personally like this one. I hope that doesn't saound arrogant.

Verlena S. Walker

Date: 6/12/2014 11:11:00 PM

Rick, your voice on tolerance let one know that you tolerate what should be tolerate. Politically voiced and well written. I rated this as a 7. GL in the contest... Verlena

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/13/2014 8:59:00 AM

I appreciate the time you have taken to read a number of my poems.

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 6/12/2014 3:46:00 PM

Dear Richard, This is a very powerful poem! The way you used "tolerant man" is much like Marc Antony used "honorable men" when he came to speak at his friend Caesar's funeral. Unfortunately, these neo-Nazi types walk among us and it almost embarrasses me that my blonde, blue-eyed family members have some German blood. Hitler's own hair was dark, so go figure. Awesome entry for the contest! "Top-Heavy Trudy" wants to meet you. Love, Carolyn

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/13/2014 9:05:00 AM

*lol* cute comment about Trudi. I too have German blood, when my wife and I met I had blonde hair, now it is grey, fortunately the eyes are still blue. The socio economic conditions at that time led that nation down a very dark path. Children were brainwashed and carried the sick vision of a mad man to fruition.

Monterey Sirak

Date: 6/12/2014 8:03:00 AM

Excellent poem! The scary thing is these people are so wrapped up in their warped sense of smug self righteousness that they actually believe what they are doing is right and noble somehow.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/12/2014 8:27:00 AM

That is indeed scarey. It is hard to believe they were once innocent children.

Sarai Virden

Date: 6/11/2014 2:14:00 AM

A tragic topic that makes one cringe... A wonderful, gripping read. Hugs :-)

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/11/2014 7:45:00 AM

Thanks, I was wondering if I missed the mark because so few had commented on this one. I appreciate your response.

Eileen Manassian

Date: 6/10/2014 8:52:00 AM

That lead to the genocide of the Jews... Richard, feelings of superiority are what always bring about tragic ends. Thoughtful and powerful write. I have a new blog up. Will write a poem soon. Hugs

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/11/2014 7:46:00 AM

On my way Eileen.

Lucilla Carrillo

Date: 6/9/2014 10:06:00 AM

This is a good poem Richard, but as you say - tolerance has it's limits. I will read the other one too. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day..... Lucilla

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/9/2014 10:11:00 AM

Thanks Lucilla, by reading my Tolerence poem you will understand my feelings on the topic.