Home » Poems » Richard Lamoureux » A River Called Ebola

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

Date: 4/14/2015 8:23:00 AM

So nice to read your poetry this morning and such a good topic to keep in the public eye! Light & Love

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/14/2015 8:35:00 AM

Thanks Debbie, I wrote this one for an organization called Samaritan's Purse.

Jean Omalley Polatnick

Date: 2/8/2015 11:15:00 PM

WOW ... Bravo!!!

Monterey Sirak

Date: 2/5/2015 9:37:00 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

Date: 2/4/2015 11:16:00 AM

deep powerful piece of writing richard heartbreaking reality always i pray such suffering excellent pen golden write dear friend bless you

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 2/5/2015 7:52:00 AM

Thanks Liam.

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 1/31/2015 3:41:00 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
Date: 1/31/2015 12:19:00 PM

A difficult subject for sure. Thanks for commenting sweet butterfly.

Arthur Vaso

Date: 1/31/2015 12:59:00 AM

Very very very touching poem Richard

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/31/2015 12:16:00 PM

Thanks Arthur, I worked and reworked this one to get it to the point where I was satisfied with it.

Constance La France

Date: 1/30/2015 11:10:00 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
Date: 1/31/2015 12:18:00 PM

It was my pleasure to visit your work. I appreciate your words.

Vicky Tsiluma

Date: 1/30/2015 6:39:00 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
Date: 1/30/2015 8:34:00 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

Date: 1/29/2015 5:22:00 PM

A heart-wrenching subject that you've beautifully penned. The imagery is excellent in this poem.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/30/2015 8:35:00 AM

Thanks so much M.L.

Poesy Relish

Date: 1/29/2015 9:20:00 AM

A great write Richard... loved imagery of the drums making noises as a source of strength for the people in Africa...

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/30/2015 8:36:00 AM

Thanks Nadiya.

David Meade

Date: 1/29/2015 9:06:00 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
Date: 1/30/2015 8:38:00 AM

Thanks kind friend!

Nette Onclaud

Date: 1/28/2015 2:28:00 PM

your compassionate heart finds its way through this endearing work, rich... I hail you.. God bless Africa!.. huggs

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/28/2015 3:46:00 PM

Thanks and huggs back to you Nette.

James Peranteau

Date: 1/28/2015 10:11:00 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
Date: 1/28/2015 10:32:00 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

Date: 1/28/2015 8:26:00 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
Date: 1/28/2015 8:56:00 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

Date: 1/28/2015 4:05:00 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
Date: 1/28/2015 8:57:00 AM

Thanks Anne Lise.

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 1/28/2015 1:58:00 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
Date: 1/28/2015 8:58:00 AM

Thanks Connie, I appreciate your thoughtful comments and visit.

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 1/27/2015 3:50:00 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
Date: 1/27/2015 8:30:00 PM

Thanks so much Demetrios.

Eve Roper

Date: 1/27/2015 3:40:00 PM

What a tender loving write, Richard, your tender heart reaching out for the sick. Something needs to be done. 7 Eve

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/27/2015 8:31:00 PM

Thanks Eve, as always you are kind.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/27/2015 2:06:00 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
Date: 1/27/2015 8:32:00 PM

Thanks Andrea. ;0)

Paul Callus

Date: 1/27/2015 1:06:00 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
Date: 1/27/2015 8:33:00 PM

Without God there can be no victory. Thanks for you visit Paul!

Eileen Manassian

Date: 1/27/2015 10:39:00 AM

Thunderous applause for this piece, Richard...You write about what matters...I'm proud of you...Check Malaria...Hugs

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/27/2015 8:30:00 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

Date: 1/27/2015 9:20:00 AM

Let us strike out Ebola Richard...thanks for shedding light on this horrific disease

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/28/2015 7:48:00 AM

Good morning Tim, thanks for commenting. I have made a number of changes since you read the poem.