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Can We

Be quiet quiet quiet Shush shush shush We’ve spoken too much We haven’t listened enough Black men and women It’s not easy to be brave Oppression and inequality make you feel like a slave Your struggles are constant Beyond what we realize What we take for granted Should be a right not a prize Stand tall men of principal take to the streets Chant Black Lives Matter Share your beliefs We’ll be quiet quiet quiet Shush shush shush We’ve spoken too much We haven’t listened enough Change shoulda come So long before today Our river of cruelty is still on display Brother Malcom X Joined with Muhammad Ali Their life force and bodies Cried out for humanity Then Sam Cooke sang to us “Brother help me please” So why are his people knocked back on their knees? Jim Brown broke boundaries While playing on uneven ground Later movie star and activist Why has his voice had no sound? So yes be quiet quiet quiet Shush shush shush We’ve spoken too much We haven’t listened enough I wrote this piece after watching “One Night in Miami”. The struggle is real!

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Paghunda Zahid

Date: 4/26/2021 4:12:00 PM

Wow wow wow! Another well deserved POTD. Belated congratulations Richard. Yes the struggle is real. Someday in a near future, all humans will be equal, and happy... And there will be peace!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/26/2021 11:17:00 PM

I truly hope so. Thanks for such a heartfelt response. Hugs Rick.

Christopher Flaherty

Date: 4/26/2021 9:32:00 AM

Like Jen I grew up in S.A also during the apartheid era. I just don't understand why people just can't all get along and be judged solely on what is on the inside not outside. Sad love you empathy Sir

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/26/2021 11:20:00 PM

Thanks Christopher.

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 4/25/2021 9:19:00 AM

I agree with your read Rick, they must chant and peacefully march on like soldiers 'Black lives do matter. We came to South Africa when I was nineteen, till then I was at school with every colour creed and nation in Zambia, When I saw two white policemen beating two black men for stealing a chicken, till they bled, I was truly very upset and horrified. It took Humanitarian Nelson Mandela to sort out the awful apartheid society here in S.A. Excellent Richard. Hugs & blessings, Jennifer.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/26/2021 11:22:00 PM

What a great response Jennifer. Hugs and blessings to you as well.

Harry Horsman

Date: 4/10/2021 8:27:00 PM

Keeping out of the controversy, Richard. The poem says it as it is, being a mighty fan of 'Paul Robeson' i know where you are coming from..Just catching up on a few POTD's this one, Brilliant.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/21/2021 5:47:00 AM

Thanks Harry, you are welcome any time. ;0)

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 4/5/2021 3:58:00 AM

After seeing a detailed documentary on George Floyd being held down with a police officer's knee at his throat whilst he was crying out 'I can't breathe, I can't breath' and calling for his Mama, I was sickened at how humanity can stoop so low as to be inhumane. It touched me to my very core and couldn't help crying . I hope justice is served where applicable. hugs and blessings, Jennifer. Congratulations Rick, sorry, my husband had a major op a couple of weeks back - I fell behind with my poetry.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/13/2022 5:38:00 AM

It seems our resident expert Keith has been proven wrong. A jury of the officer’s peers found him guilty.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/5/2021 7:50:00 AM

I hope your husband is recovering well. Hugs Rick.

Panagiota Romios

Date: 4/2/2021 4:44:00 PM

Belated Congratulations, Richard Panagiota xx

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/13/2022 5:33:00 AM

Thanks so much.

Krish Radhakrishna

Date: 4/1/2021 8:34:00 AM

Congrats on POTD! well deserved and this poem is gem!! Change comes slowly and thi ga are getting better but we sometimes empower wrong people who destroy quickly what has been achieved over decades!! a fave for me!!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 4/1/2021 12:11:00 PM

Thanks Krish. ;0)

Smita Kulkarni

Date: 3/31/2021 3:38:00 PM

Absolutely true! Very nicely expressed!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/31/2021 8:18:00 PM

Thanks Smita

Line Gauthier

Date: 3/30/2021 12:36:00 PM

Not a shining moment in the history of humanity ~ lovely tribute

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/30/2021 3:22:00 PM

Thanks for the visit Line. ;0)

Paulette Calasibetta

Date: 3/27/2021 4:36:00 PM

Hi Richard, Congratulations on the Poem of the Day, beautifully expressed. Take Care, Paulette

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/28/2021 5:58:00 AM

Thanks Paulette.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/27/2021 3:47:00 PM

My favorite part was this, and yes, even till today, there is such discrimination despite the many changes for the good in years since Civil Rights movement: Change shoulda come So long before today Our river of cruelty is still on display

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/27/2021 3:58:00 PM

Thanks Andrea, I think the pendulum is swinging back in the wrong direction. Thanks for adding your thoughts. Hugs Rick.

Malabika Ray Choudhury

Date: 3/27/2021 9:31:00 AM

"So yes be quiet quiet quiet Shush shush shush We’ve spoken too much We haven’t listened enough" How poignant, Richard! Congratulations on your POTD. I am sure you making a lot of people listen with this powerful poem. BW ~ Mala

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/27/2021 11:47:00 AM

Thanks Malabika. So nice to have you visit.

Eileen Manassian

Date: 3/27/2021 6:20:00 AM

Congrats, dear. I see this got POTD recognition. Well deserved

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/27/2021 7:13:00 AM

Thanks Eileen.

J. Summers

Date: 3/27/2021 6:16:00 AM

Congratulations Richard for your POTD. Listening is as much a form of communication as speaking and it’s time we all got busy doing just that. Congrats again. John

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/27/2021 8:17:00 AM

Thanks John.

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 3/26/2021 12:31:00 PM

The voice of humanity is heard in your poem, dearest Richard! May it reverberate throughout all nations and may bring justice to those that unjustly were treated! Congratulations!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/26/2021 1:09:00 PM

Thanks my friend Demetrios your kind words are always appreciated.

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 3/26/2021 10:19:00 AM

In the past, we haven't really listened to those who say, "Our river of cruelty is still on display." Now voting restrictions are being approved in some states and that will make it harder for people of color to exercise their voice. Your poem is like a call to action, Richard, and a fave for me. Excellent writing. Best wishes, Carolyn

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/26/2021 10:30:00 AM

Well expressed Comment Carolyn. Hugs Rick.

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 3/26/2021 10:19:00 AM

I see this is a POTD, so congratulations!

Ken Rone

Date: 3/26/2021 9:32:00 AM

You watched the movie once, perhaps twice. Many have; but only you Richard have captured its message in an outstanding poem. Thank you!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/26/2021 9:36:00 AM

Thanks Ken, what a kind comment. ;0)

Eve Roper

Date: 3/25/2021 9:54:00 PM

Congratulation on POTD, Richard, enjoyed reading. Eve

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/26/2021 4:43:00 AM

Thanks Eve. ;0)

Michael Ellis

Date: 3/25/2021 3:14:00 PM

Wow and they say Gold is right under our eyes. This poem is Gold. I too watched "One Night in Miami." As an African American I have tried to blink the entire length of my life and not notice it. This is like a Vietnam soldier not noticing land mines or IED's. This poem clearly touches the heart of a painful wound. Jim Brown is like a final relic of a dark fable. I hope we can all do better in 2021. Loved this Poem...

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/25/2021 3:40:00 PM

Hi Michael, you may also appreciate another piece I wrote titled “Shattering Rose Coloured Glasses.”I am touched by your response. Thanks for dropping by.

Alexis Y.

Date: 3/25/2021 1:19:00 PM

Hi Richard, I'm so happy to see you get such an honor with this well written write. Congratulations! It is so deserving of the poem of the day. Have a great day:-) Alexis

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/25/2021 1:26:00 PM

Thanks for dropping back Alexis. Hugs Rick.

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 3/25/2021 12:52:00 PM

Congratulations Richard on poem of the day. Every human being is equal on earth, well written. Belle

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/25/2021 3:41:00 PM

I agree they should be, sadly I don’t think we are there yet.

Vijay Pandit

Date: 3/25/2021 12:46:00 PM

Congrats Richard on poem of the day. You speak the truth.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/25/2021 12:52:00 PM

Thanks Vijay. ;0)

L Milton Hankins

Date: 3/25/2021 11:34:00 AM

Fantastic! I liked it before...I still do! Congratulations, Richard on your receiving POTD!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/25/2021 12:36:00 PM

Much appreciated. ;0)

Jan Allison

Date: 3/25/2021 11:33:00 AM

such a powerful piece Rick you tell it as it is, you are an extremely wise man my friend:-) many congrats on a very well deserved POTD:-) hugs Jan xx

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/25/2021 12:37:00 PM

You are kind, thanks Jan. Hugs Rick.

Constance La France

Date: 3/25/2021 9:14:00 AM

Richard, congratulations on receiving POEM OF THE DAY with this powerful write _Constance

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/25/2021 12:35:00 PM

Thanks Constance. ;0)