Home » Poems » Richard Lamoureux » Torn, Dedicated To Freddie Vassallo

Torn, Dedicated To Freddie Vassallo

I don't want to No I don't Want to do it Your way Your way Or the highway That's what I hear you say So I'll pack my bags I'll soon be on my way You tell me You don't Mean it "Please don't go away!" If you do it my way Perhaps then I'll stay You don't want to No you don't Want to do it My way In the end I guess that's okay You go that way I'll go this way We can choose The games we play I'll take my ball You keep your bat You keep this I'll keep that My mind feels skinny I think yours is fat It seems my mind Has split in two I was never me I was always you I can't leave What will I do? My options limited Yet I have Quite a few Tell me Tell me What to do. As I wrote this I thought of my friend Freddie who seemed in a constant battle with himself. The world is less without him in the game. I will miss him.

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Vegter Papyrus

Date: 10/25/2019 9:05:00 AM

It seems like the poets who became popular in the soup, came under attack. I've seen horrible rumors pinned on innocent good people. Thanks for visiting R.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/25/2019 9:16:00 AM

I guess I have been able to escape both popularity and being attacked. I wrote this one for Freddie when he faked his death. I later predicted his resurrection. There were a number of vey angry poets at the time.

Judy Konos

Date: 4/16/2015 8:30:00 AM

Well I am lost! He passed away? And now he is on facebook? hmmmm but your poetry was excellent...so thanks...

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/16/2015 9:09:00 AM

Yes a fake death and piles of accompanying drama. I am glad none the less that he is still among us.

Casarah Nance

Date: 11/19/2014 8:43:00 PM

Well Richard, Freddie's battle is not over, have you seen his facebook post, he is still playing his games. He is a character even in his fallacy, one that always leaves us guessing.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 11/21/2014 9:46:00 AM

I have been in contact with him, I hope he comes back to the soup.

Maurice Yvonne

Date: 11/2/2014 10:19:00 AM

Troubled souls are often misunderstood, people tend to weigh one outburst heavier than ten acts of goodness. Excellent dedication Richard.

Leon Enriquez

Date: 11/2/2014 6:02:00 AM

Dear Richard: Lovely write my friend. Yes, I got to know about Freddie's passing from a visit to Jan Allison's page. Alas, life is truly fragile. Keep in touch as you take a break from PoetrySoup to follow-up on your personal pursuits. All the best then, Leon.

Verlena S. Walker

Date: 10/31/2014 12:33:00 PM

Beautifully written Richard. Verlena

Liam Mcdaid

Date: 10/31/2014 1:41:00 AM

heart touching deeply God rest his soul beautifully penned richard bless you

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/31/2014 8:33:00 AM

That is my hope as well Liam.

Timothy Hicks

Date: 10/30/2014 11:44:00 PM

I come back to the Soup and two truly wonderful people pass - first Lucilla Carrillo and now Alfred Vassalo :( You penned a powerful poem about inner conflict and self doubt. I'm just sorry for the inspiration behind it...

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/31/2014 8:33:00 AM

Each of them held a special place in my heart.

Charmaine Chircop

Date: 10/29/2014 5:22:00 PM

Richard,I am going to miss Alfred.Still remember his first day on ps,and am sure I llnever forget his last.He was. very honest and loyal to anything He is passionate about;including poetry.I admired his guts of speaking up without being scared of what anyone might think Humble enough to recognize his flaws like We all have,and He was a generous friend too.Darn I ll miss the guy.Guess He s watching us from heaven smiling. with angels.To my favs

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/31/2014 8:31:00 AM

Freddie was a true original, I too will miss him.

Casarah Nance

Date: 10/28/2014 9:43:00 PM

This does choke me up a bit, I didn't know Freddie all that well, compared to some on here, Oh but he got me writing harder, and writing with pride in what I put on paper. His character was a character and we need people like that in ours lives that make us question, and work, and think. He will be missed. Thank you for sharing this poem with us.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/29/2014 8:15:00 AM

He was one of the poets I would look forward to hearing from. He was selective as to which poems he would post on. He would not comment on your work unless he felt you had talent. So you my dear certainly qualified.

Leo Larry Amadore

Date: 10/28/2014 6:36:00 PM

Well done...conveys well internal quandary; I liked it.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/29/2014 8:15:00 AM

Thanks Leo.

Charlotte Puddifoot

Date: 10/28/2014 6:01:00 PM

this is very sad news, I had no idea he'd passed away...yes, he was a controversial character all right, and certainly wasn't afraid to speak his mind! I never minded what he said, though, and I'm sad to hear he's gone, really sad, but it's nice that you wrote this with him in mind

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/29/2014 8:17:00 AM

Thanks Charlotte, I will miss my conversations with him.

Paul Callus

Date: 10/28/2014 11:45:00 AM

Freddie was a straight forward person who spoke his mind...not to hurt, but to present a clear picture of how he saw things. These past few months his attitude to life and religion became more mellow, and his relationship with his creator became closer. I pointed this out to him. The books I received from him a couple of days before he died will always be his living memory.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/29/2014 8:20:00 AM

Thanks Paul, it is good you had those conversations with him. I too will cherish his books.

Brenda Meier-Hans

Date: 10/28/2014 11:06:00 AM

I hope he has the peace he could not find on earth. Wonderful that you wrote this as a tribute to him Richard. I wonder if it will be raining at his funeral. (Something he mentioned lately in a poem.)

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/29/2014 8:23:00 AM

That is an errie thought. I too hope he is at peace.

Dr. Upma A. Sharma

Date: 10/28/2014 10:38:00 AM

Glad to see that addition of his ne in the title Richard! Jan has given me a shock by her prompt response! I m deeply saddened to hear that! Wonder why did I not realise that he wasn't posting poems of late! Wonderful tribute u hv given to him! Surely we all will miss him! Trust the soul rests in peace! God bless !

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/29/2014 8:26:00 AM

Thanks Upma, God bless you as well.

Eileen Manassian

Date: 10/28/2014 9:11:00 AM

I'm sorry to know he passed away. So sad. I hope he died with peace in his heart. Your poem is amazing in many ways. I see myself in this constant quandary. Thanks for sharing.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/28/2014 9:48:00 AM

Thanks, I think that this duality exists within all of us. I believe that it was more pronounced with our friend Freddie. That is one of the reasons he was a talented writer. There were things he did and said that I disagreed with and still we remained friends. His directness for me was his most endearing trait. He seemed to enjoy controversy. I will miss him.

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 10/28/2014 8:53:00 AM

Very sentimental and touching! Dilemmas exist always for we create them But if friendship or love is there we easily may come out of our dilemmas, Excellent piece of writing, dear Richard!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/28/2014 9:49:00 AM

So true!

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 10/28/2014 8:49:00 AM

- A well written poem, Richard ! - Rest in peace Freddie - (I did not know he was dead) - // Anne-Lise

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/28/2014 9:51:00 AM

I was shocked and saddened to learn of his passing. I found ou yesterday.

Jan Allison

Date: 10/28/2014 8:39:00 AM

I'm sure Freddie will be looking down and agreeing with your every word Richard. I had 3 e mails from Freddie on 24th October - he was so positive and had just sent his latest book to the printers and was offering me help should I want to do the same in the future - I will miss him - RIP Freddie:-( Hugs Jan xx

Jan Allison
Date: 10/28/2014 10:06:00 AM

LOL I have 3 books he sent me recently the last one he signed for me - what an incredible life he lived - I learn more and more about his struggles with every read:-( hugs Jan xx

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/28/2014 9:52:00 AM

If he agreed with every word he would not be Freddie *lol*. I will miss him too, hugs back to you.

Dr. Upma A. Sharma

Date: 10/28/2014 8:22:00 AM

nice write Richard! Where is Freddie? Is he sick ? Kindly apprise !

Jan Allison
Date: 10/28/2014 10:20:00 AM

lol Richard well hes got a 'with sympathy' card he can read from me then LOL!!! Hugs jan xxx

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/28/2014 9:58:00 AM

Part of me hopes that this is a charade and Freddie is trying to get a reaction from us. I would not put that past him *lol*. I watched a utube video he did about a week ago and it seemed really sad. I sincerely hope he has found peace.

Jan Allison
Date: 10/28/2014 8:36:00 AM

he sadly passed away recently Dr Sharma:-( Hugs jan xx