Complicated Notes

So many voices.
Competing 
for Real Estate 
in my head.

“You’ll always be a loser”
“He’s smarter.”
“She’s better than you.”
“Why are you so stupid.”
“You’ll never amount to anything.”
“No one wants you.”

“Wait”
“Stop!”
“Don’t listen to them.”
“You deserve to be happy.”
“You’re lovable.”

“DUMMY!”
“Idiot!”

“Those voices are lying to you.”
“You’ve come so far.”
You’ve got this.”
“You have so much to offer.”

Sometimes,
I can push the bad voices
deep down inside.
I put a cork in it,
place glittering gold foil on top to make it pretty. 
I install a wire cage around my neck
so my cork doesn’t pop.
The bubbles are kept at bay
year after year.
I’m both transparent and contained,
trying to decide if I’m ready,
Am I properly aged?
Is this my special occasion?
“They don’t want you.”
Self doubt whispers from deep within me.
Shame for what was done to me.
A gentle hand caresses my neck.
“You are ready.”
“Champagne must be shared!”

“Okay, I trust you.
Please don’t shake me,
I’ve already been shook,
shaken to my core.
Open me slowly, 
pour me into  crystal flutes.
Let me sparkle,
shine sunlight through me.
Smell my essence,
let me tickle your nose.
Feel my notes on your tongue.
Everything I have ever been
presented for your pleasure.
Only to be shared with a precious few.
The ones who love me.
The ones who spoke kind words into my soul.
My flavour, like me, is complicated.
Yes, I can be intoxicating.
So please drink me with care.”
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024


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Date: 12/7/2024 12:05:00 AM
So good to read this again, Richard. Listen only to the voices of those who know your true worth. Your writing is to be celebrated as is your soul. Blessings
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Date: 8/16/2024 9:53:00 AM
It's difficult to overcome bully words in our lives. Success is still the best tact.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/17/2024 3:52:00 AM
Indeed, thanks for commenting.
Date: 8/10/2024 11:08:00 AM
Your words sparkle Richard. It’s been a great year for your poetry. Cheers - Gary
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/11/2024 4:52:00 AM
Thanks Gary.
Date: 7/25/2024 10:13:00 PM
Stupendous write. I hope you consider me one of those precious few. I have often been intoxicated by your poetry and sharing of self. Blessings
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Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 7/25/2024 11:30:00 PM
And to you, Richard. We've been on PS a long long time. Hope you never leave.
Lamoureux Avatar
Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/25/2024 11:22:00 PM
Indeed I do. Blessings dear Eileen.
Date: 7/25/2024 6:19:00 AM
An uplifting write, Richard:)
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/25/2024 11:42:00 AM
Much appreciated.
Date: 7/21/2024 5:49:00 PM
Those negative voices do more damage than we can imagine. Gotta bubble up to the surface somehow. Cheers, Gershon
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/25/2024 11:42:00 AM
Thanks Gershon.
Date: 7/20/2024 5:48:00 AM
Some are made to feel worthless from the time they are very young. It's no wonder that as adults they have low self esteem, which ironically is often manifested as arrogance or haughtiness. It's a mask. Nice use of metaphor at the end
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/21/2024 12:15:00 PM
Thanks brother.
Date: 7/19/2024 11:21:00 PM
All I can say is you are a positive addition to the human race, leave being an idiot for me! :) loved the poem. and i meant what I said, you are a very kind person.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/21/2024 12:16:00 PM
Awww thanks. What’s nice thing to say.
Date: 7/19/2024 10:13:00 PM
the strength of your words makes this verse a most enduring one... amazing, rich!
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/21/2024 12:16:00 PM
You are kind.
Date: 7/19/2024 9:02:00 PM
This is an interesting poem. The deep feelings of unworthiness seem to encourage drinking, but not drinking just anything. The addictive culprit is champagne. I love this story.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/21/2024 12:17:00 PM
Thanks Hilda.
Date: 7/19/2024 8:08:00 PM
Love this! We all must be kind to ourselves. Shut out the unkind. Blessings ~ Kim
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/19/2024 8:26:00 PM
Thanks for reading and being the first to leave a comment.
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