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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

Date: 1/2/2023 9:49:00 AM

Beautiful and powerful writing. Privilege is too often in our blind spot. Thank you for sharing this.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/3/2023 8:27:00 AM

Thanks for this response, it is appreciated.

Jack Nganga

Date: 11/17/2022 12:48:00 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
Date: 1/3/2023 8:29:00 AM

This comment makes my day. Blessings my friend.

Kevin Cummings

Date: 11/2/2021 7:01:00 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
Date: 1/3/2023 8:28:00 AM

Perfect response, sorry I missed it.

Joe Maverick
Date: 4/24/2022 11:01:00 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

Date: 10/17/2021 1:51:00 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
Date: 10/17/2021 9:53:00 PM

Well expressed Joe. Thanks for weighing in. I appreciate the visit.

Sara Kendrick

Date: 10/4/2021 1:58:00 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
Date: 10/17/2021 9:55:00 PM

Yes all poor people have much pain and suffering. I can imagine that poor and black would be an intense experience.

Joanna Daniel

Date: 7/29/2021 2:03:00 AM

Powerful, makes one think, Richard, awesome poem:)

Alexis Y.

Date: 7/23/2021 5:08:00 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
Date: 7/24/2021 6:16:00 AM

This kind of response makes writing worth while. Thanks Alexis. Hugs Rick.

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 7/23/2021 11:14:00 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
Date: 7/23/2021 1:11:00 PM

Thanks dear one. Hugs Rick.

Rama Balasubramanian

Date: 7/22/2021 6:25:00 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
Date: 7/22/2021 1:21:00 PM

My pleasure Rama. Hugs Rick.

Ken Rone

Date: 7/21/2021 8:26:00 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
Date: 7/21/2021 9:23:00 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

Date: 7/20/2021 12:12:00 PM

Wow Richard, this is an awesome breathtaking poem, and every word you have written, I second! HUGS AND BLESSINGS, JENNIFER.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/21/2021 9:24:00 AM

Thanks so much Jennifer. Blessings Richard.

Mike Gentile

Date: 7/20/2021 8:38:00 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
Date: 7/20/2021 9:10:00 AM

Thanks Mike, you said it very well.

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 7/20/2021 5:19:00 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
Date: 7/20/2021 6:46:00 AM

You are sweet, thanks Gina. Hugs Rick.

David Mchattie

Date: 7/19/2021 3:54:00 PM

Much work to be done. Have a great day my friend.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/19/2021 4:21:00 PM

Thanks David. ;0)

John Loving Iii

Date: 7/19/2021 3:10:00 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
Date: 7/19/2021 3:22:00 PM

I think education beats defunding. Thanks for adding your thoughts.

Anselmo Boles

Date: 7/19/2021 12:07:00 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
Date: 7/19/2021 12:31:00 PM

Thanks so much for commenting Anselmo.

Vijay Pandit

Date: 7/19/2021 11:31:00 AM

Powerful and thought provoking write, Richard. Not many are willing to speak their mind, as you are. Kudos!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/19/2021 12:31:00 PM

Thanks Vijay. It sometimes gets me in trouble. ;0)

Tom Cunningham

Date: 7/19/2021 11:19:00 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
Date: 7/19/2021 12:32:00 PM

Thanks for adding your thoughts Tom. Blessings Rick.

L Milton Hankins

Date: 7/19/2021 9:20:00 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
Date: 7/19/2021 7:42:00 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
Date: 7/19/2021 9:46:00 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

Date: 7/19/2021 9:16:00 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
Date: 7/19/2021 9:55:00 AM

Thanks for commenting Lasaad. Sorry to be gloomy, in fact I remain hopeful that we will keep improving.

Eve Roper

Date: 7/19/2021 8:54:00 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
Date: 7/19/2021 9:56:00 AM

Thanks for adding your thoughts.