Richard Lamoureux | + Follow Poet |
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Before and Beyond the Bed

When 
When did a bed become your prison
I see your strength absorbed
Absorbed by the mattress 
I turn you
Trying to prevent sores
Who would have thought soft sheets
White sheets
Could cut like glass
I hold on to you
The younger you
Remembering your smile
your vitality
I had thought you to be
The most beautiful woman in the world
It is said that boys fall in love with their mothers
What I miss most 
Yes most of all is laughter
Playful exchanges
Those times no one else existed
The moments when we were the best of us
Before life became real
Responsibilities
Chasing of dreams
Growing up
I thank you for my humor
My irreverence 
My questioning
My creativity
These were not accidents
They sprouted from the ground you nurtured
The listening
The time you spent
The cheering I heard as I lived my journey
I knew I could always come home
Now you are home 
My home
Let me read to you my stories
We still have smiles to share
You who I love 
Who cared for me
I will not abandon you to a strangers care
Endings matter
I will usher you to your beginning
This bed can't hold one as strong as you
One day soon
You will skip into paradise
You will pick daisies
You will place them in your long flowing hair
When the time is right I will join you
When I have accomplished all that I need to do
I will miss you
I will cry for myself
Not for you
Because I know
You live beyond this room
I will once again
Know
You are the most beautiful
Woman in the world!


Dedicated to my Friend Armand.

Copyright © Richard Lamoureux | Year Posted 2015

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Robert Nehls Date: 9/25/2015 6:46:00 AM Hi Richard. Andrea mentioned this poem so I thought I should read it and I'm glad I did. This is a very heartfelt and loving poem that touched me deeply. You are a fine poet my friend. My mother was truly the best friend I ever had. Thanks for sharing this one...... Robert. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 9/25/2015 6:52:00 AM Thanks for your visit, based on your comment I take it you have experienced a recent loss. My condolences.

Edith D Eutsler Date: 5/29/2015 9:01:00 AM Brilliant Mind Richard. Been reading some of your poems.. Thank You. Excellent! Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 5/29/2015 9:32:00 AM You are kind Edith.

Robert Lindley Date: 4/1/2015 1:38:00 PM Caring for my ill mom now. Your poem says it all so very well. This is a true gem and I am adding it my fav list. I will read it to my mother tonight. I'll note the author but let her know I agree with it and only wish I could express it this well. A7 Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 5/29/2015 9:32:00 AM Sorry, somehow missed this thoughtful comment. Thanks so much.

Monterey Sirak Date: 3/21/2015 8:47:00 AM This is a lovely and touching dedication to the love, nurturing and confidence that our mothers instill in us. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/21/2015 9:04:00 AM Thanks Monterey.

Mama Bear Date: 3/17/2015 10:32:00 PM Yes your mother is alive and happy. When my day comes I hope you can do something like this for me. Hopefully that will still be along time coming. I still have a lot to be doing and to be thankful for. Love you Mom Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/18/2015 8:57:00 AM I am glad you are healty active and happy. You are welcome to live here any time mom. Love ya!

James Horn Date: 3/17/2015 5:37:00 AM My tears are overflowing, as my desire to read your poems keeps growing; Why away all of our lives we be throwing? With God waiting for us who is all knowing. Jim Horn Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/17/2015 7:14:00 AM A poetic response my friend, thanks.

S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri Date: 3/17/2015 1:50:00 AM Oh this is so awe inspiring a tribute to your mother, so beautifully sentimental and creative in eulogy that mothers deserve. The lines in which u touch on the heavenly hereafter are soo admirable. Its great if in this modern world mothers are not left to old people's homes like they are left in some modernistic cultures abandoned by the kids they raised so lovingly. So kudos. Great to read u again. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/17/2015 7:17:00 AM Actually I wrote this as a dedication to Maurice Yvonne as a dedication to him and his mom. Thankfully my mom is well.

Casarah Nance Date: 3/16/2015 11:09:00 AM aww. This is so touching! you bring so much emotion and realness, I am just consumed by your writes. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/17/2015 7:18:00 AM Thanks Casarah, I am honored by your response.

Liam Mcdaid Date: 3/16/2015 10:31:00 AM outstanding beautifully drawn piece richard touching deeply bless your pen always golden write wishing you a blessed st patricks day Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/17/2015 7:19:00 AM Blessings to you as well Liam.

Kp Nunez Date: 3/15/2015 4:56:00 PM Once again Rich, you have shown deep sensitivity and the ability to put into words your empathy...Reading Armand's response, I see he feels the same. Also shows us how powerful our words really have on other people, especially in poetic form. They see the time, effort, heart and soul that goes into one more so if dedicated to a friend would go a long way in making him feel better. And that is the noblest motive a poet can have, to make other people feel better. A 7 and to the favs! Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/16/2015 8:01:00 AM Thanks so much, what a nice thing to say, I am touched.

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders Date: 3/15/2015 2:05:00 PM A beautiful dedication to Armand from the heart, Richard...this was written with divine inspiration and anyone who is or has ever been in a difficult situation like this can relate...it touches the human heart for we all experience pain and loss...I write thank you with tears in my eyes...God bless you, Rhonda Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/15/2015 2:16:00 PM Thanks for your kind comment and blessing Rhonda.

Maurice Yvonne Date: 3/15/2015 8:00:00 AM Richard in response to your reply I am convinced we have a spiritual link. All my love and best wishes to you and your family may God bless you all. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/15/2015 9:33:00 AM Thank you my friend, may God bless you as well.

Charmaine Chircop Date: 3/15/2015 7:25:00 AM Cont...But always with joy. Cuz mama deserves the best...Misted my eyes. To my favs! Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/15/2015 7:40:00 AM ;0)

Njeri Hunjeri Date: 3/15/2015 7:23:00 AM Amazingly beautiful. Awesome write! #7 Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/15/2015 7:41:00 AM Njeri you are kind, thanks.

Charmaine Chircop Date: 3/15/2015 7:20:00 AM What an amazing tribute for Armand.How it tugged on my heartstrings.Who loves a son or a daughter more than a mother,and who loves a mother more than her own flesh and blood?Nobody in this human life in my opinion. How wonderful it is to be able to take care of those special people who were there for us and made us who we are.Nor always easy Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/15/2015 7:40:00 AM Not easy but certainly a priveledge. Thanks for these thoughtful and uplifting words.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/14/2015 10:38:00 PM wow, this is amazing, Richard. Just the perfect tribute for Armand and his dear mother. Into my faves. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/15/2015 7:42:00 AM Thanks dear Andrea.

Maurice Yvonne Date: 3/14/2015 8:57:00 PM Richard, God must have guided your hand with this miracle write. Every word you penned I would have wanted to write myself. You wrote of my mother as I think of her. God Bless you my dear friend this has lifted my spirit like nothing else could. I will cherish it always. I hope it touches others as it has touched me. This will be the fav of all my favs. From the bottom of my heart. Thank You! Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/15/2015 7:37:00 AM I can think of no greater priveledge than reading a response like this. I shared it with my wife as it brought tears to my eyes. I merely reflected your spirit back to you Armand. You are a good son and a blessing to your mother. This is a love worthy of celebrating!

Arthur Vaso Date: 3/14/2015 3:21:00 PM Truly a wonderful and beautiful dedication Richard! Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/15/2015 7:30:00 AM Thanks Arthur.:0)

Carolyn Devonshire Date: 3/14/2015 12:21:00 PM Dear Richard, Your message really got to me as I have lost dear friends and credit them with helping me develop humor, compassion and creativity. People say time takes away the pain, but that is only partly true. It's good to know you will see your loved ones in the next life. I especially liked the line about not abandoning your loved one to a stranger's care. That shows your true character and I have cared for a dying friend in my home for nearly a year. Powerful and beautiful! Love, CD Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/14/2015 2:36:00 PM Thanks Caorlyn, this is a beautiful response.

Kim Merryman Date: 3/14/2015 11:40:00 AM This brought me to tears, Richard. Very well written! Love, Kim Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/14/2015 2:35:00 PM Thanks Kim, sorry about the tears.

Tim Smith Date: 3/14/2015 9:10:00 AM a moving piece Richard. This could be about many who take care of their mothers in their golden years. masterful Tim Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/14/2015 9:38:00 AM Thanks so much Tim.

Eileen Manassian Date: 3/14/2015 8:49:00 AM Oh Richard. This could easily be about my mother! :( What a lovely write for Armand in the current situation he is in. I'm sure he will adore it. I'm very moved by this piece. Hugs Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/15/2015 7:47:00 AM I was not sure how to respond when first I read your comment. I came back because I want to acknowledge that I am moved by how this must have made you feel. Hugs Rick. Eileen Manassian Date: 3/14/2015 9:03:00 AM I was a bit concerned in the beginning. I though you were writing of your own Mama. Yes, he is a good man. I miss him around here. I'm sure it will comfort his heart. Sometimes....we need to remember that there is a better life coming. Hugs Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/14/2015 9:01:00 AM He is a good man. I have done my best to put myself in his slippers. I hope this offers some small bit of comfort.