Richard Lamoureux Poet Narrative

Dirty Hands

Dirty Hands

My white hands are dirty
Even if I don’t realize
My burdens light like my skin
I haven’t had the same trials

The house I live in
my manicured life
The things I don’t have to think about
While oppressed brothers deal with strife

Stolen lives, blood sweat and tears
Things haven’t changed enough
 over far to many years

“Jump down turn around, pick a bail of cotton”
Innocent men hung from trees
We should beg for forgiveness 
But it’s black men on their knees

Prison population permeated with colour 
We haven’t looked out for one another
We have to rethink “Who is my brother?”
No child should be without their father
Each home should have a dad and mother

To many lives that are broken
A few black women
get a job as a token
but heaven forbid 
If they’re ever outspoken 
“Things are more equal”
You must be jokin
Is that some kind of White Privilege Puff you’re smokin?
 
Even though I’m aware
I’m not sure what to do
Still I know I can’t pretend things are equal for you
But am I truly able to face what is true
Old ways of thinking are starting to renew
I’m afraid of where we are heading to.
White power resurgence
Watch out for that person 
standing next to you

Now they want to stop your vote
They say “We’re all  in the same boat.”
So why do you feel fantom fingers around your throat 
Your tunes are being sung backwards
While to many are left with a sour note.
More white washing
Coat upon coat.
To many are losing their hope.

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Kevin Cummings January 2, 2023 at 9:49 AM Beautiful and powerful writing. Privilege is too often in our blind spot. Thank you for sharing this. Richard Lamoureux January 3, 2023 at 8:27 AM Thanks for this response, it is appreciated.

Jack Nganga November 17, 2022 at 12:48 PM Best poem i have ever read as far as civil rights are concerned....an old age enigma revisted...trurly inspiring, ...i may not live in the states but my heart always crumbles when i think of what black americans have had to go thru Richard Lamoureux January 3, 2023 at 8:29 AM This comment makes my day. Blessings my friend.

Kevin Cummings November 2, 2021 at 7:01 AM Richard, this is a powerful and needed gift. The fate determined by pigment is an injustice to all. What color will the person who discovers a cure for cancers be? Or the child that eliminates famine? Keep shouting truth to power. Richard Lamoureux January 3, 2023 at 8:28 AM Perfect response, sorry I missed it. Joe Maverick April 24, 2022 at 11:01 PM It could be all of us Kevin.. The birth rate in Italy and Japan Is low at this time.' And we..Well I remember the food that Rotted in African countries, because it was not delivered to Those who needed it, over some corruption in the aid Agency's I think? Maybe some local government as well.? I'm Not sure..But this would outline a different reality than we are Fed it's not the 1940's now there are food stockpiles like Never before, when the US got out of Afganistan billions of Arms were abandoned, there must have been lots of food Also to feed the troops there A massive ammount of Logistics billions then spent on the Hadron collider by world researchers yet we Can't Tackle hunger.? I might try some research on that.? It could be surprising.'

Joe Maverick October 17, 2021 at 1:51 PM At the end all the falseness will be swept Away, and the users the abusers And manipulators from all Walks of life; of race will face the truth.' All is to be decided by the ultimate arbiter Of worth, eternity is the destination of us all But which eternity have we chosen? Richard Lamoureux October 17, 2021 at 9:53 PM Well expressed Joe. Thanks for weighing in. I appreciate the visit.

Sara Kendrick October 4, 2021 at 1:58 PM Interesting lines penned in this one. My father always said that people just don't know what it was like for the poor white man way back years ago. All poor people have had it hard/some more than others. Sara Richard Lamoureux October 17, 2021 at 9:55 PM Yes all poor people have much pain and suffering. I can imagine that poor and black would be an intense experience.

Joanna Daniel July 29, 2021 at 2:03 AM Powerful, makes one think, Richard, awesome poem:)

Alexis Y. July 23, 2021 at 5:08 PM WoW! Richard, Ally Henny inspired you to write such a powerful write. Kudos to you for penning writes such as these. In the midst of hate, unfairness and prejudice, I refuse to give up on hope . With that being said , I don’t live in a bubble. Things need to change fast. Once again thanks for writing this:-) Alexis Richard Lamoureux July 24, 2021 at 6:16 AM This kind of response makes writing worth while. Thanks Alexis. Hugs Rick.

Mystic Rose Rose July 23, 2021 at 11:14 AM I agree with you Richard, so many are beginning to lose hope. Im a world of lies, where no one cares to hear the truth, nor fight for its daylight, we are left bereft of a God given right to feel right with our next of kin. Thanks for always high lighting the truth without fudging it. I admire that in you:) Richard Lamoureux July 23, 2021 at 1:11 PM Thanks dear one. Hugs Rick.

Rama Balasubramanian July 22, 2021 at 6:25 AM A powerful poem! We all are guilty of prejudice some way or other. Thanks for brightening my Potd with your wonderful comments Richard Lamoureux July 22, 2021 at 1:21 PM My pleasure Rama. Hugs Rick.

Ken Rone July 21, 2021 at 8:26 AM Major piece, major subject. Your courage to take this on shows major social conscience. A proud work for an audience that may be looking past it. - Ken Richard Lamoureux July 21, 2021 at 9:23 AM I think it’s OK for people to be uncomfortable. The easy thing is to think that it’s in the past, but the reality is that it is still unequal today. Thanks for commenting.

Jennifer Proxenos July 20, 2021 at 12:12 PM Wow Richard, this is an awesome breathtaking poem, and every word you have written, I second! HUGS AND BLESSINGS, JENNIFER. Richard Lamoureux July 21, 2021 at 9:24 AM Thanks so much Jennifer. Blessings Richard.

Mike Gentile July 20, 2021 at 8:38 AM Richard, you have perfectly penned what many of us feel along with a sense of helplessness. We have so far to go! Richard Lamoureux July 20, 2021 at 9:10 AM Thanks Mike, you said it very well.

Regina Mcintosh July 20, 2021 at 5:19 AM WOW! This is incredible! I so love it and admire you for writing such a wonder. God bless you always, my friend. Love, Gina Richard Lamoureux July 20, 2021 at 6:46 AM You are sweet, thanks Gina. Hugs Rick.

David Mchattie July 19, 2021 at 3:54 PM Much work to be done. Have a great day my friend. Richard Lamoureux July 19, 2021 at 4:21 PM Thanks David. ;0)

John Loving Iii July 19, 2021 at 3:10 PM Wow!!!! You see things as they really are. And not being afraid to address the real issue of am I guilty. There is a ballance between right and wrong. And to you I admit Defunding the police is not it. Richard Lamoureux July 19, 2021 at 3:22 PM I think education beats defunding. Thanks for adding your thoughts.

Anselmo Boles July 19, 2021 at 12:07 PM Your bravery shines! Very strong point about inequality, and urging people to reconsider their stance, and stand on the side of truth and justice. I stand with you. Thank you!...ab Richard Lamoureux July 19, 2021 at 12:31 PM Thanks so much for commenting Anselmo.

Vijay Pandit July 19, 2021 at 11:31 AM Powerful and thought provoking write, Richard. Not many are willing to speak their mind, as you are. Kudos! Richard Lamoureux July 19, 2021 at 12:31 PM Thanks Vijay. It sometimes gets me in trouble. ;0)

Tom Cunningham July 19, 2021 at 11:19 AM Powerful write Richard, prejudice is still rife in places there's no denying that. No one should be treated differently because he's black, white or any other colour. We're not born prejudiced others stir the pot so to speak. Tom Richard Lamoureux July 19, 2021 at 12:32 PM Thanks for adding your thoughts Tom. Blessings Rick.

L Milton Hankins July 19, 2021 at 9:20 AM Oh my, Richard, you have hit the nail on the head, but your poem won't be popular in most white privilege circles. I enjoyed it and agree with you from beginning to end. Good writing, my friend. L Milton Hankins July 19, 2021 at 7:42 PM My latest poem is quite political, but I felt it needed to be written, so I wrote it. I don't pay too much attention to what critics say about my poetry. I writes them as I sees them! (chuckle) Richard Lamoureux July 19, 2021 at 9:46 AM I have been accused of being to political. It’s not my intention to offend but rather to generate thought. I have to confront my own prejudice and not be offended when others bring it to my attention. It’s not always easy to admit we have blind spots.

Sotto Poet July 19, 2021 at 9:16 AM You offer a gloomy view of reality, Richard. Perhaps civilization will readjust after humankind becomes unsustainable. Great thought. My favorite line is: Old ways of thinking are starting to renew. Blessings and best wishes Richard Lamoureux July 19, 2021 at 9:55 AM Thanks for commenting Lasaad. Sorry to be gloomy, in fact I remain hopeful that we will keep improving.

Eve Roper July 19, 2021 at 8:54 AM I don’t see where it is equal for a lot of souls. And yes, some in government are trying to take the vote away from some. Are we being push back to slavery and the fight for equal rights. Richard Lamoureux July 19, 2021 at 9:56 AM Thanks for adding your thoughts.