Richard Lamoureux Poet Quatrain

Grace

She has the hair and smile
And your eyes oh so blue 
but the person I see
She has ceased to be you

The flickers of memory
cause my mind to bend
I wish you were here
so I play at pretend

The essence of you
slowly slipped from my grasp
It happened perceptibly 
with barely a gasp

One moment I held you
I could feel your embrace
When I uttered your name
you knew you were Grace

Then in an instant 
recognition disappeared
We knew this would happen
the dreaded moment we feared

So when I now visit
this shell that remains
I can still feel your pleasure
flowing through my veins

Thankfully we’ve both said
all the words that matter
I know you’ve already traveled
to your happily ever after.

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Mama Bear November 6, 2020 at 3:40 PM This is a beautiful memorial to his grandmother Grace who left us before her time with dementia she was a grand lady and we all miss her and have great memories of her Well done Richard Love mom

Vladislav Raven July 27, 2020 at 10:18 AM Hi Richard, this poem has touched me deeplyas it must have touched you deeply when writing it. is so sad when Dementia touches someone we love. I have never had anyone I am close to suffer in such a way, I hope I never shall. I agree with Paul, Richard, you have treated the subject with the utmost love and respect. This is a beautiful write and a fav. Have a wonderful Saturday. Blessings....Mike.

Frances Schiavina June 18, 2020 at 9:11 AM Beautiful poem with so many surprising lines. We said all the words and I still feel your pleasure. Reminds of: Love means never having to say you are sorry. Well done Richard Lamoureux June 18, 2020 at 9:19 AM Thanks Frances.

Paul Callus May 17, 2020 at 4:37 PM You treated this subject with utmost love and respect, Richard, and the fact that you speak of a dear relative explains how these words flowed beautifully from deep inside. ~ Regards // paul Richard Lamoureux May 17, 2020 at 4:46 PM Thanks Paul. ;0)

Grace Daub May 17, 2020 at 4:28 PM You lost a Grace? sad... Graces are usually pretty special Hugz Richard Lamoureux May 17, 2020 at 4:47 PM I agree. Hugs Rick.

Caren Krutsinger May 16, 2020 at 7:57 PM The “dreaded moment we feared” is a moment all couples fear whether conscious or unconscious.

Mystic Rose Rose May 12, 2020 at 5:55 AM I can still feel your pleasure flowing through my veins I came for another read, this line stuck out , being a line only a true empath could come up with, Have a great day dear Richard, stay healthy and writerous ... lol Richard Lamoureux May 12, 2020 at 9:02 AM Thanks my friend. Hugs Rick.

Jennifer Proxenos May 11, 2020 at 11:50 AM A wonderful tribute to the one you love - very sad but it's creativity and heartbreaking reality makes each of us ponder - beautiful that you had said what needed to be said before she traveled to her happily ever after. Blessings dear friend. Jennifer. Richard Lamoureux May 11, 2020 at 1:00 PM Blessings to you too Jennifer.

Silent One May 11, 2020 at 7:02 AM I wrote a poem on this subject called the D word... Having witnessed it in others, it is such a sad and heartbreaking disease, listened to so many stories about it. the ending is really emotive, as we really do hope they are in their happily ever after... Richard Lamoureux May 11, 2020 at 8:08 AM Thanks for your thoughtful comment Silent.

Eileen Manassian May 11, 2020 at 1:05 AM Amazing how you described the transition in time. Sweet how you mentioned that the essentials never change. You'd already said what needed to be said. Great write. Richard Lamoureux May 11, 2020 at 8:08 AM Much appreciated Eileen, hugs Rick.

Gideon Foli May 10, 2020 at 9:59 PM You're a great writer Richard. I enjoyed reading your Elegy Grace, I believed she's resting in Jesus's loveliest room. A very organized rhyme scheme abcb. Thanks for reading my works too. Stay safe and healthy my dear brother. Richard Lamoureux May 10, 2020 at 10:31 PM You are kind Gideon. Much appreciated.

Linda Milgate May 9, 2020 at 1:02 AM such a concrete and deeply expressed loss of a loved one with dementia. I was struck by how you expressed both partners' awareness Richard Lamoureux May 10, 2020 at 10:35 PM Thanks Linda. Hugs Rick

Paghunda Zahid May 7, 2020 at 5:52 PM we’ve both said all the words that matter... These lines are so beautiful... Stay safe Richard Lamoureux May 10, 2020 at 10:40 PM Thanks Paghunda. You stay safe too.

Mystic Rose Rose May 7, 2020 at 4:14 PM So sorry for your loss dear Richard, I pray your mom is well though, I had the honor to meet her once, but she was such a memorable soul. Its Vienna I go by Pixie Dust these days, Sending love and prayers for your health & safety. Richard Lamoureux May 9, 2020 at 8:31 AM Also don’t worry, my Grandma passed away many many years ago. Richard Lamoureux May 9, 2020 at 8:30 AM Oh Hi Vienna, I had no idea you had changed your name. I have enjoyed your poetry none the less. Mom is great turning 80 on the 18th.

Darlene De Beaulieu May 7, 2020 at 3:06 PM Hello Richard Lamoureux, I sense that someone in your family passed. Am i right? Or is this just a poem? If passed she will be with youin your heart. Have a nice day my friend. Richard Lamoureux May 9, 2020 at 8:15 AM Many years ago now. Thanks for your concern.

Geoffrey Brewer May 7, 2020 at 8:57 AM A searing, poignant personal expression with a sublime acceptance that touches the heart. An exceptional, unforgettable poem, Richard. Grace and blessing to you. Richard Lamoureux May 7, 2020 at 10:09 AM Thanks Geoffrey. ;0)

David Mchattie May 7, 2020 at 12:43 AM It is hard to know who suffers more. The person with the disease or the one who has to watch it consume a loved one. A well penned effort my friend to bring to light the sadness of such suffering. Have a great day and stay safe. Richard Lamoureux May 7, 2020 at 8:00 AM You as well David. Thanks for the visit.

Harry Horsman May 6, 2020 at 11:45 PM The strangest feeling i get reading this, Richard, is the sense of love and affection, before 'the dreaded moment we feared' A lane so many of us either side of the fence go down,,,yes, you are an unique fellow, you certainly pull at my heart strings....Stay Safe...Harry Richard Lamoureux May 7, 2020 at 8:01 AM Thanks a Harry, you are good for my ego. You are very generous in your comments.

Timothy Hicks May 6, 2020 at 6:05 PM Brings to mind Alzheimer's - that plague that infected so many. Never seen it person, but I've heard stories from friends and it sounds so awful ... to lose one's coherency (all that we have to guide us in this world). A sad topic, for sure, but you expressed it well ... with the rainbow at the end, in your last stanza. PS. "You knew that you were Grace." ... I like how this line can be interpreted two different ways: a double entendre. Richard Lamoureux May 6, 2020 at 6:08 PM You interpreted it properly. A horrible disease. Thanks for the visit Timothy.

Andrea Dietrich May 6, 2020 at 4:25 PM oh wow, so well done on this sad theme, Richard. Wonderful! Richard Lamoureux May 6, 2020 at 6:08 PM Thanks Andrea, hugs Rick.

John Hamilton May 6, 2020 at 4:01 PM So touching Rick, the sadness permeates this piece, but at the same time it's comforting to know they are at peace not suffering! Richard Lamoureux May 6, 2020 at 6:16 PM Thanks John. ;0)

Charlie Smith May 6, 2020 at 2:59 PM We all might be surprised what one is thinking or not thinking in that state. My wife is a Hospice chaplain and is constantly surprised. Your continued love and show of compassion can't hurt either one of you. Well done Richard... Richard Lamoureux May 6, 2020 at 6:18 PM They have had good results when playing music to patients. I appreciate the thought. My grandma Grace, passed on many years ago.

Tom Cunningham May 6, 2020 at 9:29 AM A lovely tribute to your Grandma Richard, they never really leave you, they are in your heart mind and dreams. Tom Richard Lamoureux May 6, 2020 at 9:53 AM So true, thanks Tom.

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart May 6, 2020 at 9:13 AM Oh, so heartbreaking. Achingly tenderly rendered Richard. A wow and a tear. xomo Richard Lamoureux May 6, 2020 at 9:17 AM Thanks Maureen. I was having a dream about my Grandma Grace and when I awoke, this piece wrote itself. Hugs Rick.

Jan Allison May 6, 2020 at 9:05 AM absolutely heartbreaking to lose someone to dementia/memory issues - I am gradually losing mum its so hard not to be able to see her. A very poignant touching piece Rick:-) hugs Jan xx Richard Lamoureux May 6, 2020 at 9:16 AM Thanks Jan, I had both of my Grandparents on my dad’s side afflicted with that horrible disease. It causes one to have to grieve the loss twice. Hugs back to you dear Jan. So sorry you are going through this experience.