Richard Lamoureux Poet Personification

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 January 28, 2014 at 3:47 PM Richard, CONGRATULATIONS, a very clever write, you did well in "Personifing Any Animal of Your Choosing" *enjoyed every poem.......... ~SKAT~ Richard Lamoureux January 28, 2014 at 7:56 PM Thanks SKAT

Teddy Kimathi January 7, 2014 at 8:36 AM Congrats to your well, deserved win Craig! :) Teddy Kimathi January 7, 2014 at 11:40 PM Sorry Sir. My writing was faster than my sight. LOLEST!!!! Richard Lamoureux January 7, 2014 at 8:48 AM Thanks Teddy, my name is Rkchard.

Abdulhafeez Oyewole January 5, 2014 at 2:58 AM A beautiful piece, Craig! Congrats on your fine win and compliments of the season again. Richard Lamoureux January 7, 2014 at 8:47 AM No worries AO. Abdulhafeez Oyewole January 5, 2014 at 5:54 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 January 5, 2014 at 8:23 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 January 5, 2014 at 12:43 AM Enjoyed the personification and congrats on your win, RichaRD Richard Lamoureux January 5, 2014 at 8:21 AM Thanks again Dr. Ram

Just That Archaic Poet January 4, 2014 at 9:59 AM Congrats on your win in my contest, my dear friend! :) Richard Lamoureux January 5, 2014 at 8:20 AM Thanks Chan, I am pleased you like it even though it does not rhyme.

Michael Ainsley December 21, 2013 at 9:13 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 December 19, 2013 at 10:38 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 December 20, 2013 at 8:11 AM That's a new one for me. Thanks just call me Mustapha *lol" Thanks for the compliment.

Richard Lamoureux October 12, 2013 at 12:09 PM Thanks to all who commented.

Yvette Lisa Ndlovu September 4, 2013 at 9:21 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 August 23, 2013 at 12:22 PM congrats on a fine win Richard...

Eileen Manassian August 23, 2013 at 11:08 AM Congrats, Richard...It is so deserving...

Danesh Morgan August 23, 2013 at 2:08 AM this should be the best Congrats on your win. Morgan Richard Lamoureux August 23, 2013 at 6:52 AM You are kind Danesh

Andrea Dietrich August 22, 2013 at 11:30 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 August 23, 2013 at 6:51 AM Cute comment, thanks so much Andrea

Skat A August 22, 2013 at 8:55 PM it is a nice one Richard... SKAT Richard Lamoureux August 23, 2013 at 6:50 AM Thanks Skat

Shadow Hamilton August 22, 2013 at 8:47 PM hi Richard and ty for your support I loved this congrats on your win Shadow x smile Richard Lamoureux August 23, 2013 at 6:50 AM Thanks for adding my poem to the winners list.

Red Fiery August 13, 2013 at 7:22 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 August 13, 2013 at 8:39 PM You are an adventurer as well as a romantic. A great combination for a poetess. Thanks for the kind comment.

Monterey Sirak August 11, 2013 at 6:19 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 August 11, 2013 at 7:22 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 August 7, 2013 at 6:17 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 August 7, 2013 at 7:15 AM Thanks Mustapha!

Lucilla Carrillo August 6, 2013 at 10:07 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 August 7, 2013 at 7:16 AM I agree Lucilla

Barbara Gorelick August 6, 2013 at 10:00 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 August 7, 2013 at 7:18 AM Thanks Barb, so glad you appreciated this one.

Carrie Richards August 6, 2013 at 8:47 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 August 7, 2013 at 7:19 AM My pleasure Carrie. I really appreciated your entry.

Karen Anglesey August 6, 2013 at 7:36 PM You channeled the Bengal tiger with brilliance. A winner for sure ...a grand poetic vision ...***soupmail*** Richard Lamoureux August 7, 2013 at 7:20 AM Thanks Karen.

Delysia Hendricks August 6, 2013 at 6:40 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 August 6, 2013 at 10:53 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 August 6, 2013 at 2:05 PM Thanks Eileen!

Nette Onclaud August 6, 2013 at 9:28 AM ohhh, this smacks of personification so impeccably done with poetic power and energy, rich... blown away!..:) huggs Nette Onclaud August 6, 2013 at 9:48 AM special thanks for consideringmy piece for your last contest.... honored!..;)

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