Richard Lamoureux Poet Free verse

A River Called Ebola

Thathud, boom boom boom 
Thathud, boom boom boom
I listen
As drums beat in Africa
Voices rise above the pounding
Mourning 
Crying out for their lost
For their feverish
Helpless people dying one loving touch at a time
Ebola, your tears bring destruction
You methodically  make your way to the city
The river from which you flow is cursed
A stream of blood gushes forth
Pouring out and through Africa
Thathud, boom boom boom

You, Ebola
Travel in secrecy
Disguised as lesser diseases
Now the uncommon more common cold
You wear malaria like a illusionist's garment
Making your way through the marketplace
Taxicabs fill with your unsuspecting victims
Fear and ignorance, your loyal companions 
Following you to the hospitals
Places of healing become decimated 
The healers hands are not protected
Their fingers become your own
You whisper "take me home with you,
let me kiss the face of your loved ones!"

Still the drums continue to beat
Thathud, boom boom boom
Hear the beat of Africa's heart
Bring your Doctors across her borders
Open Samaritan's Purse
Ebola, must not win
Let us love Africa one person at a time
God's loving hand's poised to heal
Redemption is possible
He has not forgotten his children
Strength will once again course through their veins
Africa will sing a new song
The fever will break
Ebola, you cannot
Shall not
Will not
Silence the drums of Africa!
Thathud, boom boom boom
Thathud, boom boom boom
Thathud, boom boom boom........

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Debbie Guzzi April 14, 2015 at 8:23 AM So nice to read your poetry this morning and such a good topic to keep in the public eye! Light & Love Richard Lamoureux April 14, 2015 at 8:35 AM Thanks Debbie, I wrote this one for an organization called Samaritan's Purse.

Jean Omalley Polatnick February 8, 2015 at 11:15 PM WOW ... Bravo!!!

Monterey Sirak February 5, 2015 at 9:37 AM I love the drum beat providing rhythm to the poem. Reaching for one person at a time keeps the task from becoming overwhelming. As usual you have opened your heart to let words of love flow.

Liam Mcdaid February 4, 2015 at 11:16 AM deep powerful piece of writing richard heartbreaking reality always i pray such suffering excellent pen golden write dear friend bless you Richard Lamoureux February 5, 2015 at 7:52 AM Thanks Liam.

Poet Destroyer A January 31, 2015 at 3:41 AM oh my, what a poem Richard! I don't know what to say. I truly don't like the subject. However, this is a very interesting poem. A very powerful nation and drum beat. Love the ending. Shall not Will not Silence.... Love Linda Richard Lamoureux January 31, 2015 at 12:19 PM A difficult subject for sure. Thanks for commenting sweet butterfly.

Arthur Vaso January 31, 2015 at 12:59 AM Very very very touching poem Richard Richard Lamoureux January 31, 2015 at 12:16 PM Thanks Arthur, I worked and reworked this one to get it to the point where I was satisfied with it.

Constance La France January 30, 2015 at 11:10 AM Richard, a truly touching poem, it is heartbreaking to listen to the daily news and hear about all the deaths, your poem captures the pain so well and thanks for visiting my poetry ~~ Richard Lamoureux January 31, 2015 at 12:18 PM It was my pleasure to visit your work. I appreciate your words.

Vicky Tsiluma January 30, 2015 at 6:39 AM Oh Richard ...when you write poems like these, sometimes I worry about your bleeding heart. Honestly I think that the only reason Ebola makes news is because of how fast it kills and its ability to spread to other countries. Seriously, every day in Africa more people die from malaria, childbirth, pneumonia, FGM, TB and other diseases that are 100% curable or preventable but those numbers don't matter simply because those are slow deaths and rarely jump borders. But keep preaching. Respect! Richard Lamoureux January 30, 2015 at 8:34 AM As a result of this outbreak many hospitals were closed down and in Liberia 70% of the countries healthcare workers were lost, some to Ebola and others to fear. As a result many people lost their lives not only to Ebola but to other untreated illnesses and injuries. I do understand what you are saying about all the other suffering Africa is facing. Thanks for reading and commenting. Hugs Rick.

M. L. Kiser January 29, 2015 at 5:22 PM A heart-wrenching subject that you've beautifully penned. The imagery is excellent in this poem. Richard Lamoureux January 30, 2015 at 8:35 AM Thanks so much M.L.

Poesy Relish January 29, 2015 at 9:20 AM A great write Richard... loved imagery of the drums making noises as a source of strength for the people in Africa... Richard Lamoureux January 30, 2015 at 8:36 AM Thanks Nadiya.

David Meade January 29, 2015 at 9:06 AM May fear not rule us but that we continue to reach out in love to our hurting brothers and sisters . . . well written . . . compassionate heart is inspiring to me. 7 Richard Lamoureux January 30, 2015 at 8:38 AM Thanks kind friend!

Nette Onclaud January 28, 2015 at 2:28 PM your compassionate heart finds its way through this endearing work, rich... I hail you.. God bless Africa!.. huggs Richard Lamoureux January 28, 2015 at 3:46 PM Thanks and huggs back to you Nette.

James Peranteau January 28, 2015 at 10:11 AM Hang in there dear poet....the black plague took 25 million lives in one shot, and 200 million over a three hundred year period. And I do realize that our tech's of science are moving as fast as posible and equiped for good work much better than 700 years ago, but, never let us cease praying for our brothers and sisters in dire need of help ! TY for this eye openner Richard.....have a blessed day, much love, james Richard Lamoureux January 28, 2015 at 10:32 AM Thanks James, in Africa there medical system is not equipped to deal with this disease. When you add the culture and overcrowding in the cities the problem becomes multiplied.

Funom Makama January 28, 2015 at 8:26 AM Oh precious lord! How else could this have been a priceless piece? Thank you a zillion Richard! This is wonderful, heartfelt and humane! We hope and pray this Ebola Epidermic will be over very very soon. I hope you are having a great year Richard Lamoureux January 28, 2015 at 8:56 AM Thanks Funom, on Monday my wife and I went with some friends to an event put on by Samaritan's Purse. It was a very moving presentation.

Anne-Lise Andresen January 28, 2015 at 4:05 AM - Bravo .... this is really well written, Richard !!!! - Kindness and consideration from human to human is better than all the love of mankind - oxox // Anne-Lise :) Richard Lamoureux January 28, 2015 at 8:57 AM Thanks Anne Lise.

Connie Marcum Wong January 28, 2015 at 1:58 AM Your poem beats with your heart's compassion, for the fear, the pain and the torment of watching those you love die with a feeling of helplessness. It is a battle that can be won, but the casualties are too great to imagine. Your poem is sincere and so very moving Richard. Bravo for writing about this battle we must all fight. EXCELLENT! #7+ Blessings, Connie Richard Lamoureux January 28, 2015 at 8:58 AM Thanks Connie, I appreciate your thoughtful comments and visit.

Demetrios Trifiatis January 27, 2015 at 3:50 PM The value of your poem increases because of its humanity, my friend Richard! We all have to use our God given talent for to fight evil in any form! Bravo my friend, God bless you, a seven for it! Richard Lamoureux January 27, 2015 at 8:30 PM Thanks so much Demetrios.

Eve Roper January 27, 2015 at 3:40 PM What a tender loving write, Richard, your tender heart reaching out for the sick. Something needs to be done. 7 Eve Richard Lamoureux January 27, 2015 at 8:31 PM Thanks Eve, as always you are kind.

Andrea Dietrich January 27, 2015 at 2:06 PM wow, Richard. you do such an amazing job with truly moving poetry that comes from your heart. And this was well crafted with the sounds you put into it of the drums, using this as a reference to the heart of Africa. I have to fave this one. WELL DONE Richard Lamoureux January 27, 2015 at 8:32 PM Thanks Andrea. ;0)

Paul Callus January 27, 2015 at 1:06 PM Excellent, Richard!! I too applaud you! Love the drums' message echoing across Africa,,,a positive message of courage, hope and resistance...with God's help! #7 // paul Richard Lamoureux January 27, 2015 at 8:33 PM Without God there can be no victory. Thanks for you visit Paul!

Eileen Manassian January 27, 2015 at 10:39 AM Thunderous applause for this piece, Richard...You write about what matters...I'm proud of you...Check Malaria...Hugs Richard Lamoureux January 27, 2015 at 8:30 PM Hi Eileen, thanks for catching my error. I made some changes to the poem. I hope it makes it better. Hugs Rick!

Tim Smith January 27, 2015 at 9:20 AM Let us strike out Ebola Richard...thanks for shedding light on this horrific disease Richard Lamoureux January 28, 2015 at 7:48 AM Good morning Tim, thanks for commenting. I have made a number of changes since you read the poem.