Richard Lamoureux | + Follow Poet |
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Superior Mother

If I feel guilty 
Does that make you
Superior Mother
Am I just a bad bad boy
Who’s just to much of a bother!
I guess things haven’t changed much
Since you taught my father

All of your Sisters
Most of them
had that same sour face
I can understand 
How children’s laughter 
seemed so out of place
Were you afraid it might make your heart race?
If you had one
It didn’t occupy much space
No one at the school was qualified
or equipped to teach Grace 
Smack smack 
Another kid
For forgetting to tie his shoe lace

Those golden rules
Seemed more like lead
I can still remember that ear pull
It felt like it would come off my head
It was still sore when I went to bed
I guess I shoulda listened
To what you said.
Sorry for making you see red.

Now the school is closed
No more rules or uniform
Me I’m okay now
I wasn’t born to conform
To you I was unpredictable 
Kinda like 
a  thunder storm
I didn’t fit any norm
Sometimes clay can be
Just a bit to hard to form.

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Marikate Kingston Date: 6/18/2023 9:04:00 PM Be kind to me Superior Mother, because I think outside the box,my choices might be bad but I'm not. No more am I in a mental uniform. I learned that school may close but my mind never will. My critical & creative thinking may have been dismissed for Chrome books. "A thunder storm" brewing again? I worry. Play Dough for me please, a new "clay" Malleable, colorful and filled with room to form, not "conform" As a Catholic and a public school teacher, this poem moved me in many ways. Login to Reply

Eshe Benson Date: 2/8/2022 4:26:00 AM Such a true depiction of Catholic schools. I didn’t get to experience this but I’ve friends with stories of horror from those places. You’ve spoken for many. Great piece Richard Login to Reply

David Smith Date: 11/25/2021 11:40:00 AM Poignant, relevant, beautifully crafted and emphasises the place of poetry in giving messages of hope despite the cruel things that happen that shouldn't. Also proves point that we all respond differently when confronted by authority figures and those in Authority need to understand and adapt their methods accordingly if they want best outcome for both parties. Very best wishes David in NZ Login to Reply

Sara Kendrick Date: 9/17/2021 12:42:00 PM I don't know about the Catholic religion or teachings since I am not one but not all people conform to such hash teachings. I hope that you found some weight lifted through writing this one. Sara Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 9/19/2021 7:03:00 AM Yes, thanks Sara.

Geoffrey Brewer Date: 9/15/2021 5:03:00 PM A devastating image of the worst aspects of one past kind of Catholic teaching. I hope this gave you some catharsis, Richard. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 9/19/2021 7:03:00 AM It did, thanks.

Paula Goldsmith Date: 9/15/2021 12:17:00 PM A "Wonderful" write. Love This One. Teachers/school can be good or bad memories. Should be good years/memories for all kids. Have a blessed day. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 9/19/2021 7:02:00 AM I have more bad than good up to grade 6. After that no complaints.

James Marshall Goff Date: 9/15/2021 10:48:00 AM Hi my friend, good write...had mixed experiences at Catholic school (stayed thru 7th) some super sweet, like 1st grade with an incredibly loving & nurturing Nun, then some later on who struck me with rulers & made me sit in the hallway all day...boy did my mom get upset with the school when I finally told her why I stopped bringing homework home! Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 9/19/2021 7:02:00 AM Good for you for telling her. Sorry you had some of the bad kind. I was left handed and my teacher would hit me with a pointer when I used my left hand. Now I’m ambidextrous so I guess that’s good *lol*

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 9/13/2021 1:19:00 PM Hi Richard, I have always been a bit of a rebel, although a prefect at school in my last year, stood up for the junior classes at boarding school when the complained about Saturday breakfast - wrote a poem, the Peanut Butter strike, me and 5 other prefects. I am with you all the way, and do understand how mother superiors or superior mothers Operate, it was hard - my mother felt superior, after my father died and felt, as if she had become the patriarch of the family now. Hugs Jennifer. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 9/14/2021 10:42:00 AM Great response, thanks for reading. Hugs Rick.

Harry Horsman Date: 9/8/2021 9:09:00 PM Have heard so many story such as this, Richard. This is a powerful condemnation in what you suffered, in a poem..You say it as it is, my sister-in-law was as a 5 year old when attending a catholic school, and was to be hung, (rope throw over rafters, and made to stand on a chair, all because she had not the penny for their charity) Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 9/10/2021 7:14:00 AM What a horrible experience. I’m so sorry for your sister inlaw.

Brian Sambourne Date: 9/7/2021 7:03:00 PM Your abusive experience, Richard, makes for riveting poetry. Quite a moving piece. My phys ed. teacher had a sadistic streak but I have yet to write about him + his punishing ways. Look after yourself. Be well. Brian Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 9/10/2021 7:13:00 AM Thanks Brian. ;0)

Carol B. Date: 9/7/2021 4:33:00 PM I had attended a Catholic school however, there were no nuns teaching at my school. I am thankful that I didn’t experience what was expressed in your poem. Richard, I wanted to let you know that Armand has a poetry book published on Amazon called “Fifty Three”. Today it is free on Amazon kindle unlimited. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 9/10/2021 7:13:00 AM Thanks Carol, I may be to late but I’ll look it up.

Judy Ball Date: 9/6/2021 11:27:00 PM Hmmmm She must have been friends with my mom. My mom thought love meant beating your child to make him/her afraid to do wrong. She didn't realize that fear is not love. Well done my friend. God Bless, JB Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 9/7/2021 6:24:00 AM Who knew your mom and my dad were brother and sister? I’m sorry you went through that Judy. Thankfully you survived and became a good person.

Kim Rodrigues Date: 9/6/2021 11:36:00 AM Some of the nuns were truly like that! I had one who would hit these boys in class even against side of door. On the other hand my great-great Aunt, Sister Marion, was very funny! She was a Mother Superior for a while. Sent a note to my mom - cops stopped her for speeding, called her the “flying nun.” Her and another brought station wagon full of gifts for us and they also were kind to my kids when visiting her in her older years. Just like cops all nuns are not bad ;) Enjoyed your poem! Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 9/6/2021 2:17:00 PM I have no doubt there are wonderful women in the vocation. For me I am not fond of the system that controlled many people and destroyed cultures. My poem Confessional also deals with this topic. Thanks for sharing a more positive perspective.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 9/5/2021 8:47:00 PM You always write so well on these stories which need to be told, Richard. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 9/6/2021 6:29:00 AM Thanks Andrea. ;0)

Gershon Wolf Date: 9/5/2021 3:37:00 PM What a classic write, Mike! Talk about trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. ~ Nun-sense Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 9/6/2021 6:28:00 AM It’s Rick but either way, I love the Nun-Sense comment. ;0)

Alexis Y. Date: 9/5/2021 10:32:00 AM WoW! Richard, What a well written poem. Did you go to Catholic school? This poem seems so real. Great ending to a well-composed write-Alexis Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 9/6/2021 6:27:00 AM I never did but have friends and x girlfriends who attended. Also I have read some horrid accounts from Native folk.

Richard Lamoureux Date: 9/5/2021 6:28:00 AM Thanks for the visits and comments. They are all appreciated. I haven’t been here much. I will drop by for a visit. Login to Reply

Jack Horne Date: 9/4/2021 8:32:00 AM thoughtful & heartfelt write here, my friend Login to Reply

Mike Gentile Date: 9/3/2021 11:15:00 AM I really enjoyed your trip down memory lane Richard!! It brought back so many memories for me ( though I was a good boy and never got my ear pulled!) excellent! Login to Reply

L Milton Hankins Date: 9/2/2021 7:40:00 PM Superb write, Richard. I didn't go to a Catholic school, but I have heard stories! Enjoyed reading about your adventures in grace land. Login to Reply

Sotto Poet Date: 9/2/2021 2:53:00 PM Outstanding writing that is straightforward. Richard, Several years ago, teachers were regarded as dictators. Thankfully, however, this was not the case today. Instructors at school bullied me, and a number of them were downright mean. Login to Reply

David Kavanagh Date: 9/2/2021 1:41:00 PM Nice truthful writing Richard, I got beaten bad by teachers in school, some where quite sadistic, the sisters where probably worse they got inside some peoples heads, terrifying them psychologically, last stanza sums me up, cheers David Login to Reply

Tom Cunningham Date: 9/2/2021 12:10:00 PM Years ago many teachers were brutes, thankfully things have changed now. Hope you're well Richard. Tom Login to Reply