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Between the Words of My Father

I tried my best To live between your cruel words Yet there was no room I felt less Smaller than small So why didn't I fit? I wonder Now that you are gone Who's words had you borrowed? Did the pain you gave to me come from another's broken heart? Was it too much to bare? I now have room at the end of your sentences. Not forced within the confines of your spaces Tracing the manicured pearls of your wisdom You have not had the last word I am not doomed to your hypothesis I'm willing to dance on the edge My cliff is of note worthy of jumping from For I am not Icarus There is no reason to fear the sun Only your memory will melt from my wings I do not wish to re-live your convoluted nightmare The drifting of your mind Those barriers to my existence Freedom at last Yes Freedom At the end Yes At the end of your sentences. The lesson I learned is that the only one who can define my being is me. I also learned that painful words and curses can be passed on from generation to generation unless we put a stop to it.

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Lucilla Carrillo

Date: 12/30/2013 10:34:00 AM

WOW! This is strong. It is hard to believe that you had to go through this, but - as they say - you see faces, but you dom't know their hearts. Good luck in the contest...... Lucilla

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/28/2014 8:19:00 AM

Thanks Lucilla

Carl Fraser

Date: 12/29/2013 10:05:00 AM

A very moving write indeed , Richard, i could feel the pain you carried, it took me some years of therapy and the good lord above to gain real freedom, but "whom the son sets free is free indeed." Hope you win brother, Blessings Carl

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/29/2013 10:48:00 AM

That battle has been faught and won long ago. The Lord is truly good. I maintained a relationship with my dad until his passing. It allowed me closure.

Suzanne Delaney

Date: 12/28/2013 1:35:00 AM

Sometimes the hardships we bear shape us for the better...it seems so with you. Have a wonderful 2014 and thanks for your friendship. SuZ

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/28/2013 8:15:00 AM

Thanks SuZ, I appreciate your friendship as well. There is much to look forward to in 2014.

Donna Jones

Date: 12/25/2013 8:36:00 PM

Merry Christmas evening Richard....this is heart touching....so many seem only to know how to give what they've been given I think....instead of having strength to change...you are a strong person to overcome ..and encourage others

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/28/2013 8:13:00 AM

"To those whom much has been given, much is required." I can say with honesty my hardships have been a well spring of strength, God truly uses all things for good. Sorry I'm just reading this now for the first time, thanks for such a thoughtful comment Donna.

Arthur Vaso

Date: 12/24/2013 11:21:00 AM

A very touching piece, and the silver lining though all of this, is not where you were but what you have become. A very kind person.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/24/2013 2:52:00 PM

Thanks Arthur, a very nice thing to say.

Jack Jordan

Date: 12/24/2013 9:05:00 AM

Richard, it's been great getting to know you this year. have a wonderful Christmas, and a marvelous 2014... Jack

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/24/2013 9:48:00 AM

You as well Jack.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 12/24/2013 3:13:00 AM

- Happy Christmas, Richard ! - Have a great time with family and good friends! - Santa Claus huggs from // Anne-Lise :)

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/24/2013 9:48:00 AM

A big Christmas hug to you as well Anne-Lise.

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 12/24/2013 12:07:00 AM

Richard, The end of the year is approaching :) :) :) And guess what? There's no way I'm letting this year end, without dropping by with SMILES and CHRISTMAS CHEERS. Thank You for making this a great year for ALL OF US. --- May magic fill your days and all your dreams come true this holiday season. MERRY CHRISTAMS <3 Love Linda -The Sweetest Poet Destroyer"

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/24/2013 9:47:00 AM

Merry Christmas to you as well Linda.

Shadow Hamilton

Date: 12/23/2013 4:36:00 PM

strong and powerful Rick yet it helped make you who you are today Shadow x smile hug

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/24/2013 9:46:00 AM

I agree, thanks Shadow.

Ilene Bauer

Date: 12/23/2013 4:25:00 PM

very powerful and well-written. it sounds as if you've gotten a lot stronger over the years. it's great that you can write about it...

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/24/2013 9:46:00 AM

Yes I can write about it with a sense of peace and a recognition that the pain caused was not intentional it had come from previous generations. Thankfully with God's help it did not have to travel further.

Colleen Bono

Date: 12/23/2013 11:45:00 AM

Merry Christmas Richard. Waiting to get a surgery date. The infection in my ear is from a cyst behind my eardrum. It has spread to my sinuses,neck,and lungs. Just got a phone call from surgeon and the culture came back positive for staph infection. Keep your pen flowing. Love Colleen

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/24/2013 9:41:00 AM

Good morning Collen, sorry to hear you are still not well. You continue to be in my prayers.

Poet Tacito

Date: 12/23/2013 11:29:00 AM

With a greater understanding on the roots of this poem, this has given me a sense of sadness, yet a sense of completion & peace from the pain. Damn...

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/24/2013 9:40:00 AM

Yes the pain has dissipated and peace has filled the empty spaces. My God is good. Thanks Drake.

Eileen Manassian

Date: 12/23/2013 11:21:00 AM

Richard.....I'm sure there is much about your father's childhood that you don't know. I'm sure he was carrying a lot of hurt. That is NO EXCUSE, I know, but...still...I'm sure he loved you...in his own....strange way. :( How could he not? You are a wonderful person. I'm SO SO glad that you filled in all those spaces with the beauty of your soul....Hugs

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/24/2013 9:38:00 AM

Despite the hurt I do know that my dad loved me. Still this is a time Iwould not want to re-live. You are very kind, the credit for who I am now goes to my mom and my heavenly father who gracefully reparented me.