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Bengal

I move with stealth, assurance Muscles taunt beneath striped coat Footpads softly caress the ground My home My sanctuary The grasslands and forests of India Men refer to me as Bengal They wish to trap the predator Sieze my freedom Place me in a cage I would rather be mounted on their wall My brothers and sisters Pace within their prisons Lifeless meat placed at their feet Not wild buffalo Where is the deer, the wild pig No thrill of the hunt No honor Life without balance Eyes that have lost their fire Oppressors and their children look through bars or plexiglass windows What can they truly see Just a shadow of beauty A glimmer of strength They do not witness one like me Powerful Ferocious Regal I am Bengal I am meant to be free I will fight to remain The master of this land Come witness me here I'm not in a cage So I say beware Don't come too near For Regina's Animal poem contest.

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Skat A

Date: 1/28/2014 3:47:00 PM

Richard, CONGRATULATIONS, a very clever write, you did well in "Personifing Any Animal of Your Choosing" *enjoyed every poem.......... ~SKAT~

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/28/2014 7:56:00 PM

Thanks SKAT

Teddy Kimathi

Date: 1/7/2014 8:36:00 AM

Congrats to your well, deserved win Craig! :)

Teddy Kimathi
Date: 1/7/2014 11:40:00 PM

Sorry Sir. My writing was faster than my sight. LOLEST!!!!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/7/2014 8:48:00 AM

Thanks Teddy, my name is Rkchard.

Abdulhafeez Oyewole

Date: 1/5/2014 2:58:00 AM

A beautiful piece, Craig! Congrats on your fine win and compliments of the season again.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/7/2014 8:47:00 AM

No worries AO.

Abdulhafeez Oyewole
Date: 1/5/2014 5:54:00 PM

OMG! I'm unaware of this mixed up (you pointed out) hitherto now. But the remark is and was intended for your work and not his. I sure mean you and yours well, sir Richard. I'm sorry for this. Bet you find a place in your heart to understand.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/5/2014 8:23:00 AM

Hi A.O. I think you got me and Craig mixed up. All the bet of the season to you as well.

Dr.Ram Mehta

Date: 1/5/2014 12:43:00 AM

Enjoyed the personification and congrats on your win, RichaRD

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/5/2014 8:21:00 AM

Thanks again Dr. Ram

Just That Archaic Poet

Date: 1/4/2014 9:59:00 AM

Congrats on your win in my contest, my dear friend! :)

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/5/2014 8:20:00 AM

Thanks Chan, I am pleased you like it even though it does not rhyme.

Michael Ainsley

Date: 12/21/2013 9:13:00 PM

You are a man after my own heart. Your poem reminds me of the wolf at the door;Who almost moved in with the dog for food and warmth until the dog said you will have to ware a collar. The wolf turned to the woods and ran off . Anyway I do like this poem. Happy holidays to and your family;. Michael.

Eileen Manassian

Date: 12/19/2013 10:38:00 PM

I love this one! It is absolutely beautiful....powerful, strong, free!!! Somehow......this avatar of yours.....reminds me of a lion (not a tiger, but a lion) Believe me.....that is a HIGH compliment! I love lions. I have the pictures everywhere in the office and at home. :) I don't know why......but it just does and it did even before I ever read this piece. Wonderful write, Richard.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/20/2013 8:11:00 AM

That's a new one for me. Thanks just call me Mustapha *lol" Thanks for the compliment.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 10/12/2013 12:09:00 PM

Thanks to all who commented.

Yvette Lisa Ndlovu

Date: 9/4/2013 9:21:00 AM

Another masterpiece! You captured a very serious issue wonderfully...makes one think of how the animals that are taken from their natural habitats feel.

Joseph May

Date: 8/23/2013 12:22:00 PM

congrats on a fine win Richard...

Eileen Manassian

Date: 8/23/2013 11:08:00 AM

Congrats, Richard...It is so deserving...

Danesh Morgan

Date: 8/23/2013 2:08:00 AM

this should be the best Congrats on your win. Morgan

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/23/2013 6:52:00 AM

You are kind Danesh

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/22/2013 11:30:00 PM

I love how you put yourself in the tiger's "paws" with this one. This is truly one of the best in the contest. Congrats on a well deserved win.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/23/2013 6:51:00 AM

Cute comment, thanks so much Andrea

Skat A

Date: 8/22/2013 8:55:00 PM

it is a nice one Richard... SKAT

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/23/2013 6:50:00 AM

Thanks Skat

Shadow Hamilton

Date: 8/22/2013 8:47:00 PM

hi Richard and ty for your support I loved this congrats on your win Shadow x smile

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/23/2013 6:50:00 AM

Thanks for adding my poem to the winners list.

Red Fiery

Date: 8/13/2013 7:22:00 PM

I hate the idea of caging animals. I lived in west bengal for almost 8 yrs but never visited the zoo. I am so impressed by this write...cheers ! Freedom applies to all living things on earth ! You have done a great job ..

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/13/2013 8:39:00 PM

You are an adventurer as well as a romantic. A great combination for a poetess. Thanks for the kind comment.

Monterey Sirak

Date: 8/11/2013 6:19:00 AM

Stupendous write! You have truly captured the beauty of a tiger living free. In my state there is a big cat rescue and preserve. I love going, but am saddened when the tigers stare at me through the fences bordering their habitats.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/11/2013 7:22:00 AM

Zoos have allways made me uncomfortable. With film we can capture the majesty of the animals, I don't see the purpose of caging them.

Mustapha Mohammed

Date: 8/7/2013 6:17:00 AM

Hi Richard,this is one I really enjoyed from you.The highlight for me would be the use of personification,you could sense that you really threw your heart into this one.Fantastic.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/7/2013 7:15:00 AM

Thanks Mustapha!

Lucilla Carrillo

Date: 8/6/2013 10:07:00 PM

This is really good Richard. I think that every animal should be allowed to be free. If we don't bother them - they won't bother us. I have seen them up close. They are beautiful. Thanks for sharing..... Lucilla

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/7/2013 7:16:00 AM

I agree Lucilla

Barbara Gorelick

Date: 8/6/2013 10:00:00 PM

Don't see how this could not be at the top of the winners list. Its outstanding. I like the format as well as the words..BG

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/7/2013 7:18:00 AM

Thanks Barb, so glad you appreciated this one.

Carrie Richards

Date: 8/6/2013 8:47:00 PM

This should rate high if not higher !!!! Great poem for the contest...(which I haven't yet attempted.....don't know how to even start this one!!) And ps....thanks so much, Richard, for my placement in your Girl Rising contest. I've been away..so just now discovered the list of results.....I'm so pleased, thanks very much!!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/7/2013 7:19:00 AM

My pleasure Carrie. I really appreciated your entry.

Karen Anglesey

Date: 8/6/2013 7:36:00 PM

You channeled the Bengal tiger with brilliance. A winner for sure ...a grand poetic vision ...***soupmail***

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/7/2013 7:20:00 AM

Thanks Karen.

Delysia Hendricks

Date: 8/6/2013 6:40:00 PM

You paint a vivid picture of your tiger's "kill me or be killed" attitude. I know you'll do well in the contest, Richard. Good one, my friend. Licia :-)

Eileen Manassian

Date: 8/6/2013 10:53:00 AM

I'm with Nette...the personification was so.....complete....it...unnerved me! AMAZING....POWERFUL....FREE! I don't have enough words. One of your ABSOLUTE BEST, Richard...and that means A LOT coming from me! To my favs....Tiger man!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/6/2013 2:05:00 PM

Thanks Eileen!

Nette Onclaud

Date: 8/6/2013 9:28:00 AM

ohhh, this smacks of personification so impeccably done with poetic power and energy, rich... blown away!..:) huggs

Nette Onclaud
Date: 8/6/2013 9:48:00 AM

special thanks for consideringmy piece for your last contest.... honored!..;)