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How To Feel

I shared with a poet that I’m sad and angry My heart is going to a place it doesn’t want to be I know you are hurting you want to be free But around that last corner There are things you can’t see Absence my friend does not remove suffering It passes it to others there’s no peace it can bring it’s a cold and empty place the ending of everything Closing eyes, not waking won’t make your heart fly or sing I know I’m a small footnote in a chapter of your story Yet I want more for you I wish for you to know Glory So I’ll press one more time make a moment feel like forty I want more conversations I pray You won’t be gone shortly To me my friend you are significant and matter So my spirit feels anxious I’m like the Mad Hatter I climb up ten rungs to try and meet you on your ladder I don’t want you to jump My heart’s heavy and grows sadder So please tell me my friend in your words how you feel Even though I won’t pretend okay please know that my love is real I will be with you now at this junction on your wheel Maybe we can just sit here together because I don’t really know how to feel. I wrote this piece from a friend’s perspective. He is distraught because his friend has chosen assisted suicide and the day is quickly approaching. My heart and prayers go out to both of them.

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Punnia Viswan Bhatia

Date: 8/28/2019 9:44:00 AM

I feel I am zilch to comment on this poem and the scenario. Just prayers..

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/28/2019 9:57:00 AM

Prayers are always welcome. Hugs Rick.

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 1/4/2019 7:00:00 PM

Hello Richard,I sense that you are sad and that is a good reason to be sad. But like Wendy says it is hard to get the person back into the light. Happy New Year. have a nice evening my friend.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/5/2019 3:30:00 PM

Happy new year to you too. Nope not sad just busy.

Wendy Nipas

Date: 12/4/2018 12:52:00 PM

Beautiful wording. It's so hard to get a person back into the light when they seem to find deliverance in the dark. Very confusing and upsetting. I feel your friends pain. Nicely penned, thank you.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/5/2019 3:30:00 PM

Thanks Wendy.

Anna Hopper

Date: 11/3/2018 12:32:00 PM

Very beautiful and sad

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 8/28/2019 9:58:00 AM

Thanks Anna.

Alexis Y.

Date: 10/31/2018 8:25:00 AM

Hi Rick, You have penned such a sad and heartfelt write about what your friend is facing. My heart goes out to you all-Alexis

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/31/2018 9:19:00 AM

Thanks Alexis.

Aqua Marine

Date: 10/29/2018 8:38:00 AM

While life is precious, we are endowed with freedom of choice- actually a God given characteristic of humans. I feel the stress and pain of all friends faced with "letting go." You said in a previous comment that the Bible is silent on this matter, Richard. It does say this: "The one who has died has been pardoned/acquitted from his sin. Romans 6:7. Anyone who has teetered on the desperate outer edge of life, would understand. I feel distressed for all of you. May you all find peace. (((HUGS)))

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/29/2018 8:51:00 AM

Thanks for this sensitive response. Hugs back.

Winged Warrior

Date: 10/29/2018 7:17:00 AM

That's all we can say, my friend...our hearts and prayers go out to both of them...and you...a very sad event Richard...love & light...^WW^

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/29/2018 7:23:00 AM

Thanks ^WW^, much appreciated.

Arthur Vaso

Date: 10/29/2018 4:12:00 AM

This resonates more than you can know, I was a bit unsure, until the notes, I wish all to be well and recover from any sadness.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/29/2018 7:26:00 AM

Thanks Art for the good wishes. :0)

Eileen Manassian

Date: 10/28/2018 2:11:00 PM

These are really deep issues that one cannot be glib about. I can feel the pain. One doesn't know the depth of agony of someone who is considering this option. The Lord knows. Powerful write, Richard.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/28/2018 11:58:00 PM

Thanks Eileen. It was a hard one to write and some will never know the depth of suffering that can lead to such a decision. The Bible seems silent on the subject so we are left to question.

Vladislav Raven

Date: 10/28/2018 12:16:00 PM

Hi Richard, I did write an earlier comment for this write and I had to delete it. It didn't say what I wanted to say. Now I come to another comment and I still can't find the words. It is possible the piece has touched me more deeply than I thought. This has saddened me so my friend. I do think, what would I do in this situation? No answer comes. Whatever the outcome, I would like to think it will be the best outcome. You have touched me deeply today. Your friend always....Mike.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/28/2018 12:19:00 PM

Thanks for such a compassionate response Mike. It’s much appreciated.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 10/28/2018 6:23:00 AM

So sad when all hope is gone Richard and the only path to real peace is to die by assisted suicide. We all know life is precious but how can we persuade people to change their mind when they are suffering so much. Well written Richard. Tom.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/28/2018 9:29:00 AM

Thanks Tom.

Sunlite Wanter

Date: 10/27/2018 6:26:00 PM

That is really heavy and so well written. I do hope the outcome was good.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/28/2018 9:29:00 AM

Me too.

Richard D Seal

Date: 10/27/2018 6:12:00 PM

Hi Rick, Interesting write, no easy answers here, it remains a personal decision that should be respected. I hope your friends find peace. Take care, Richard

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/28/2018 9:31:00 AM

I do too, it’s very complicated.

Linda Milgate

Date: 10/27/2018 2:47:00 PM

good writing, if an assisted suicide very difficult time, one doesn't want to use it unneeded when there are ways to still have important moments and quality times. So always good in my mind to let person know people are there for them. As for increasing pain horrific disability arising that is different and death can be a friend. Realistic poem something important to read and think about.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/28/2018 9:31:00 AM

So true, thanks for adding your thoughts.

Therese Bacha

Date: 10/27/2018 2:22:00 PM

I wish i knew your friend so we can try to help, make him we are here for him, he is no more alone, and together we can make his life feel worthy of living with us here. Please if u can tell me if he is here, as i can help him not to end, his end, as i did try 3 times, and God send my children to help me at the last minute. Thank you Richard for this heartfelt poem to your best friend. I pray he changes his mind. Terry xoxo

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/27/2018 2:31:00 PM

Thanks Therese, no he is not on the soup. My friend is a retired pastor and his friend is his neighbor. I appreciate the prayer.

Vijay Pandit

Date: 10/27/2018 1:39:00 PM

Well written Richard--you are right--one doesn't know how to feel at times like these. Sad it is.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/27/2018 2:32:00 PM

Thanks Vijay.

Rico Leffanta

Date: 10/27/2018 12:30:00 PM

An old man jumped from the 21st floor; when he splattered on the ground below my flat, his legs broke off at the knees ripping open his stomach, so thank God for an "assisted" choice! Fortunately for all of us, memory usually forgets the misery and enhances the beauty of a life, so friends support friends to who choose to pass on their own terms, though you have done a great job of conveying their perspective. Aloha! Rico

Arthur Vaso
Date: 10/29/2018 4:14:00 AM

I often feel sadness not only for those who suffer but those who see suffering, I ony wish those who do suffer in any way reach out, no mater what they decide to do. :)

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/28/2018 9:34:00 AM

How horrible, I’m sorry you had to experience this. We don’t know what people are going through so I have no judgement either way.