Patriarchal Prisoners

You rule this family with an iron fist
Thriving on having your ass kissed
Without constant adoration you become pissed
There are too many items on your wanted list.

Others see you as a benevolent man
Ruling the roost, doing the best you can
I'd prefer the fire to this frying pan
Let others dote over you I'm not a fan

You sit on a throne yet you're not a king
Promise us the world and keep everything
Wanting for not on each finger a ring
You feed us the lines you want us to sing

Stronger we are becoming day by day
By leaving we'll take your power away
I guess in the end we have the last say
You sh_t your own bed now you have to stay!



For Thomas Martin's patriarchy contest.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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A. Sharma Avatar
August 2, 2015 at 10:32 PM
Superb write Richard that's so worthy of great win! Big congrats!
Lamoureux Avatar
August 9, 2015 at 8:39 AM
Thanks Upma.
Lindley Avatar
August 2, 2015 at 8:55 AM
Blessedly my father was nothing like that! I had friends that had fathers like that and I saw it even as a young kid and knew it was very wrong! Adding this great poem to my fav list and its strong message and great power inspires me to write a forceful and inspiring poem today..
Lamoureux Avatar
August 2, 2015 at 9:34 AM
Thanks Robert, much appreciated.
A  Avatar
August 1, 2015 at 11:58 PM
Richard, congratulations. Forever **SKAT**
Lamoureux Avatar
August 2, 2015 at 9:34 AM
Thanks SKAT.
Mandani Avatar
August 1, 2015 at 4:47 PM
you got it right there, man! Smack on the head.
Lamoureux Avatar
August 2, 2015 at 9:34 AM
Thanks Abdul.;0)
Guillermo - Fraser Avatar
July 27, 2015 at 8:54 AM
Richard, so strong are the lines! the angst! powerful but so sad!~Olive Eloisa
Lamoureux Avatar
July 27, 2015 at 9:14 AM
Thanks Olive.
Makama Avatar
July 22, 2015 at 11:43 AM
this is an awesome piece. Its nice visiting your pages once again. Definitely a 7!
Lamoureux Avatar
July 25, 2015 at 7:11 PM
Thanks so much Funom.
Hunjeri Avatar
July 21, 2015 at 4:53 PM
Hi Rick am back again..i went to your website. i had a chance to know u a little bit more, i enjoyed the pictures and i read the Black Bird on a wire. that poem brought tears to my eyes. its sad that u had to endure that from the man who was supposed to lead and protect his family. your strength coming from that situation is a light to many sons. even daughters. b blessed
Lamoureux Avatar
July 21, 2015 at 9:32 PM
Thanks so much for checking out my site Njeri. I am touched by your words once again. I hope you will contribute a poem to my site.
Rose Avatar
July 21, 2015 at 9:19 AM
Very moving poem. Just from reading the poem it is written from the viewpoint of the victim. Many can relate to an strict Father. Excellent, powerful and a definite 7! Thank you for sharing this with us.
Lamoureux Avatar
July 21, 2015 at 9:31 AM
You are accurate Brenda. Leaving home was a step towards freedom.
Thirtyseven Avatar
July 20, 2015 at 7:38 AM
WOW that one packs a punch. Best of luck in the contest.
Lamoureux Avatar
July 20, 2015 at 7:39 AM
Hi Scott, I appreciate the visit and luck.
Lamoureux Avatar
July 20, 2015 at 7:38 AM
Thanks A.M.
Muideen Avatar
July 20, 2015 at 5:20 AM
Powerful well constructed Richard, good luck in the contest.......A.M
Lamoureux Avatar
July 20, 2015 at 7:40 AM
Thanks A.M. ;0)
Bear Avatar
July 19, 2015 at 9:14 PM
Been there done that don't want to live it again Well written and hope you win Love mom
Lamoureux Avatar
July 20, 2015 at 7:41 AM
Thankfully you found the strength to leave and to stay away. I love you too.
Hunjeri Avatar
July 19, 2015 at 7:33 PM
Your poem speaks a lot of truth of the society we live in. All the best in the contest Rick.
Lamoureux Avatar
July 20, 2015 at 7:44 AM
In this case it was a personal nightmare and thankfully we all woke up. My poem Black Bird on a Wire talks a bit more about it. If you check out my website www.wisedummypoet.com you can learn a bit more about the story.
Dietrich Avatar
July 19, 2015 at 4:27 PM
wow, you TELL 'em, Richard. there are WAY too many assholes like these in the world. I just get boiling mad thinking of them. I guess i watch too many Investigative Discovery Crime shows. More than half the evil in the world is caused by this kind of horrible man. Not to mention whole cultures that get away with it to a certain extent. GREAT job.
Lamoureux Avatar
July 20, 2015 at 7:45 AM
Yes sadly many suffer at the hands of men like this.
La France Avatar
July 19, 2015 at 2:25 PM
Richard, deep, powerful and also full of pain, an emotional 7 and thanks for visiting my senryu 13, animal abuse is something I cannot fathom or tolerate, it is the act of a coward, hunting is murder of the innocent and in my opinion never okay
Lamoureux Avatar
July 20, 2015 at 7:47 AM
Thanks Constance, it is even worse when it transitions over to people.
Hamilton Avatar
July 19, 2015 at 1:59 PM
great pen Rick gl in contest hugs 7
Lamoureux Avatar
July 20, 2015 at 7:48 AM
Thanks so much Shadow.
Bateman Avatar
July 19, 2015 at 1:01 PM
Richard, I like this one!! Full of passion and power. Excellent!! Good Luck in the contest. A "7" for sure. Best Wishes, Gary
Lamoureux Avatar
July 20, 2015 at 7:48 AM
Thanks Gary.
Manassian Avatar
July 19, 2015 at 9:33 AM
This is very powerful and full of justice......soupmail
Lamoureux Avatar
July 19, 2015 at 9:40 AM
On my way.
Allison Avatar
July 19, 2015 at 9:26 AM
WOW such a powerful emotional write Richard - you packed a punch here my friend - good luck in the contest:-) husg Jan xx7
Lamoureux Avatar
July 19, 2015 at 9:40 AM
Thanks a bit of luck is always good.
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