Home » Poems » Richard Lamoureux » I'M Different

I'M Different

I want to be part of something but not that It’s never been that The loud boisterousness full of life Ideas strongly held traditions family Because you said so Uncles who said so “That’s what this family believes” After all “it’s always been done that way” Marry young Have kids “Kids are the most important thing in the world!” I know, I know don’t get me wrong I love kids Kids are great God and family are great “Work hard” “Play harder” “Eat what’s on the table” “A real man can handle his liquor!” “One more drink, let’s celebrate!” My heart might be wired wrong It beats a half beat or a quarter beat beyond yours Or maybe It’s a bit slower I don’t know but I feel my heart beating I hear it calling to me I know its questions I know what it calls out for I need to seek my answers I know you are deaf to my quiet outspoken ways We have no rhythmic synchronicity Our words and Ideas don’t mesh I want different and fresh It’s a big big world I don’t think it’s a mess You want more You think what I want is less The things I desire I wish you would bless So, I made my way out into my possibilities Waited for my time never afraid of responsibilities Because family was still important You gave me that Yes, like I said kids are great really great! I know you wanted me to wished and prayed I would marry a nice Portuguese girl that I would have lots of kids My blood your blood family is blood I know you thought you could never fully love completely love her girls Yes, they are my girls too They are our girls But you did I thank God you did I cherish those times Yes, like favorite uncle said “Anthony is different” I know I am different I’m happy I am different I like the life I have built The life my love and I have built Still I like the ways we are the same dad I love the way you worked with your hands I love the feel of wood in my hands I love that I wonder what you would think of what I build Part of me wants to feel you are proud of me Craves your approval not just the things of my hands but for the life I have built Because after all we are both builders... I was inspired to write this piece after spending an evening with friends. By sharing part of their lives a true bond was forged.

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Patrick Nigros

Date: 12/7/2018 10:58:00 PM

beautiful Rich...

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 12/10/2018 11:16:00 AM

Thanks Patrick.

Vladislav Raven

Date: 10/24/2018 5:07:00 PM

Hi Richard, this poem engages from beginning to end. You at your best as always. I always love the creative way in which you put forward your poetic thoughts. Your talent always shines through my friend. I always love the content of your work. Have a wonderful Thursday. Your friend always....Mike.

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 4/23/2018 2:34:00 PM

Hello Richard, this was very nice of you to do this for a friend. have a nice day my friend.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/22/2018 8:55:00 AM

Thanks Darlene.

FJ Thomas

Date: 3/21/2018 10:32:00 AM

May all those and they're enriching differences be blessed. This was very enjoyable and relatable Rick.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 7/22/2018 8:59:00 AM

Thanks F.J. ;0)

Muhammad Imtiaz

Date: 2/26/2018 1:11:00 PM

Very deep and profound write....... i like these unique lines : "I need to seek my answers I know you are deaf to my quiet outspoken ways We have no rhythmic synchronicity Our words and Ideas don’t mesh"

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 2/26/2018 6:32:00 PM

Thanks Muhammad, I wrote this piece for a new friend after he shared pieces of his life with me over a meal and glass of wine.

Freddie Robinson Jr.

Date: 2/16/2018 9:11:00 AM

A gripping, emotional bond oozing from your cultural primordial ink, Richard. A grand human treatise of pioneering humility. Forge on, my creative genius friend. New paths virgin traveled upon, with ancient lessons to carry the wagon weight of knowledge on. This was such an invigorating read ... ty for sharing a slice of your life w/us. Your friends and family are blessed to have an intrepid soul like you in their midst. Aurora bright write. Love and more love always.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 2/16/2018 9:49:00 AM

Thanks my friend.

Joe Maverick

Date: 2/5/2018 1:31:00 PM

Hi Richard, I see a great deal to relate to and other parts to mull over, I really enjoyed reading this piece'

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 2/5/2018 2:02:00 PM

Thanks Joe, I appreciate the visit.

Faraz Ajmal

Date: 2/3/2018 9:14:00 AM

A very deep and beautifully written poem, I really enjoyed reading it

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 2/5/2018 2:02:00 PM

Thanks Faraz.

Joanna Daniel

Date: 2/2/2018 7:55:00 AM

A deep poem, Richard, with great meaning:)

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 2/5/2018 2:06:00 PM

Thanks Jo.

Maria Williams

Date: 1/30/2018 9:04:00 PM

A really profound write Richard,one that I can identify with also. It is so important to get a parents approval, and yet keep our own identity at the same time. Your poem provides food for thought...Maria

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 2/5/2018 2:07:00 PM

I agree Maria but not one at the expense of the other.

Eileen Manassian

Date: 1/26/2018 12:26:00 PM

Read some of the commentsl and got a deeper understanding of this piece. Different...yet somehow the same. Food for thought.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 2/5/2018 2:07:00 PM

Tell me more.

Becca Teagan

Date: 1/23/2018 4:08:00 PM

I think this is about needing our parents approval, and at the same time wanting to be ourselves, no matter how different we might be. If I'm right about this, I feel this way too, in my family. We always want our parents to be proud of us, or at least feel like we belong.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/23/2018 5:10:00 PM

Yes even when we think we don't care their opinion matters. Thanks for the visit Becca.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/23/2018 3:45:00 PM

I enjoyed reading your response to me down here on this one, Richard. Look forward to seeing a new poem from you soon.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/23/2018 5:11:00 PM

Nothing has caught my mind in the last little bit. Thanks for the visit.

Debbie Guzzi

Date: 1/22/2018 7:44:00 PM

Finding ones self is a lifelong task and you have made that very clear, to love anyone else one must love oneself, thanks for writing this Ricahrd! Light & Love

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/22/2018 8:14:00 PM

Thanks Debbie for the great response to this piece.

Leanne Lovejoy-Burton

Date: 1/22/2018 12:37:00 AM

Different to me is truly "Special". Dysfunctionality in families is very common. It is usually hereditary. I think the words that are the most poignant here, are the last five lines of your poem. Richard, you write with depth and empathy, that would reach out to a large majority of people in today's society. Thank you for sharing via insight of your friend's experience.

Leanne Lovejoy-Burton
Date: 1/22/2018 9:43:00 AM

The world abounds with broken people, this is true. From some of the darkest cracks and times in lives, rise all sorts of shining lights. Some of course, do not make it through to Light.Thank you, I shall check your "Broken People" poem out. People in all walks of life fascinate me; the ones that interest me the most though, are the broken.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/22/2018 8:18:00 AM

After I wrote my last book I found out from so many people how dysfunctional their backgrounds are. You might appreciate a piece I wrote called “Broken People” thanks for your visit and thoughtful comment.

Judy Ball

Date: 1/21/2018 4:55:00 PM

Beautiful Richard. Very poignant. I too was always told I was different and was treated differently. I never really felt like I was an accepted member of my family. My best friends always had four legs and a tail. A very beautiful piece my friend. God Bless. JB

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/22/2018 8:14:00 AM

It’s good that all us “different” people can add flavour to the soup.

Harry Horsman

Date: 1/21/2018 12:51:00 PM

Oh so powerful this, Richard, i found it hard to conform, as a only child i was told i was unusual, i do see thing differently now, and now again i've just read this wonder.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/22/2018 8:13:00 AM

I too have been different but I hope in a good way. Thanks for your kind comment.

Alexis Y.

Date: 1/20/2018 3:07:00 PM

WoW! Richard, I must say your title alone caught my attention. Because I felt "different "for most of my life. But as I started to read I saw a deep and powerful poem appear in front of my eyes. As always good job:-) Alexis

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/20/2018 4:12:00 PM

Thanks Alexis, what a nice thing to say.

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 1/20/2018 7:25:00 AM

Our world is built stone by stone, year by year, century by century, millennium by millennium and each one of us builds on te foundations the previous generation has laid! To be different in a better way is fine but to be different and destroy what has been built is not fine! A gigantic poem with a lot of food for thought my friend, Richard!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/20/2018 7:56:00 AM

My friend like many children rebelled against some traditions but in the end still placed a high value on family, still maintained relationship with his family. He didn’t marry within his race or have his own children, he adopted his wife’s. They all found a way to mesh and the foundation was not dismantled.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/20/2018 7:50:00 AM

Yes I agree and I also disagree. For me I grew up in a home that was abusive, my dad’s family was also abusive. Secrets needed to be kept, appearances maintained. Substance abuse was normal. An overly sexualized environment. But for the Grace of God that would have been my world.

Susan Ashley

Date: 1/19/2018 9:34:00 PM

A powerful poem Richard that is so deep, emotionally honest and heartfelt. Such intimate intensity of thoughts and feelings you've penned from your friend's perspective - a beautiful and expressive write that I truly enjoyed! Warmest wishes ~Susan

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/20/2018 7:58:00 AM

What a wonderful and thoughtful response to my poem. Thanks.

Anna Hopper

Date: 1/19/2018 8:17:00 PM

Oh wow! This is pretty intense! Not your story, huh? I never would have guessed. Incredible!

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/20/2018 7:59:00 AM

Thanks Anna, i’m Pleased by your reaction to it.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 1/19/2018 2:13:00 PM

- A poem with honest thoughts, Robert - I feel the words coming deep from the heart - A wonderful writing ! - hugs and happy weekend :) // Anne-Lise :)

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/19/2018 4:02:00 PM

Thanks, Anne-Lise. I am writing from my friends perspective. I'm glad it feels real. Hugs Richard.

Judith S

Date: 1/19/2018 9:08:00 AM

Gosh this is beautiful!! ... and thought provoking Richard. Staying true to yourself and your beliefs isn't always easy where family expectations have a strong influence. It was extremely engaging. A great write!! ~Judy

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/19/2018 9:45:00 AM

Thanks a Judy, I’m pleased you enjoyed this piece.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/18/2018 7:58:00 PM

This is a very engaging poem, Richard. A long one that kept my interest. I see you used the name Anthony but it felt autobiographical, so it makes me wonder about that or if you just have a nicname Anthony. I think this is a poem many adult children (and not just males) can relate to. Here is a line that really stood out for me: you are deaf to my quiet outspoken ways (this feels like me talking to my husband sometimes) Love the ending and how you related to you both being builders.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 1/19/2018 8:46:00 AM

Good morning Andrea, I took on the persona of my friend after he shared his thoughts and feelings. I modified his name and removed his wife’s name to insure their privacy. In order to tell his story parts of me are inserted. The line you like is how I feel sometimes.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/18/2018 7:54:00 PM

Regarding a recent remark you made on one of my poems, the person gave me a fairly decent comment today! Let me see this new poem of yours now.