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Richard Lamoureux | + Follow Poet |
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Pin Pricks

My hands hold the bars
I’m a good prisoner
Hoping to be let out for good behaviour 
Head down
not meeting my jailers eyes

At night when the lights are off
When the moon is in the sky
When men cough and moan in the darkness
I reach through the bars towards the stars
My finger traces that golden orb
My mind explores pin pricks of silver
Traveling light years in mere seconds
no longer held by concrete and steel

When my jailers look at me
They don’t realize that I am a free man
Only my body is held in this place 
Where a man’s thoughts travel
there resides his soul 

Men are held in many prisons

Expectations 

Past traumas

Loveless marriages

Addictions 

Regrets 

They think

“If I hold onto the bars

keep my head down

Perhaps I’ll get out early for good behaviour?”

All the while not realizing that when they face a mirror 
they are looking into their jailer’s eyes.

Copyright © Richard Lamoureux | Year Posted 2025

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Gary Radice Date: 6/4/2025 7:32:00 AM I really enjoyed the read Richard; it's a free verse that made (and tbh still makes) me think. I'm reminded of the Bob Marley quote: ""The hardest prison to escape is your own mind." Cheers - Gary Login to Reply

Arthur Vaso Date: 5/31/2025 11:56:00 PM Came back with bad news you have been fined 6 bottles of wine for not writing more poems here, please contact me for shipping instructions! Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/1/2025 9:37:00 AM Hahaha, sending 12 bottles of dandelion wine. Most suitable for cleaning toilet bowls. Consume at your own risk. If you consume it will still be functional as a toilet bowl cleaner.

CayCay Jennings Date: 5/26/2025 5:08:00 PM I almost missed the 'list' form list. Thought it had concluded and was contemplating all the poem offered, so distracted, I almost missed out. It's like you entered into prison cell or the body of someone in the cell, to sell an authentic feel. You did it, then expanding it / transitioned to thought-provoking lines. The creative effort gave us a great poem to read. Due to its heaviness, I'm breaking out to shelter with somewhere silly ... CayCay Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/1/2025 9:41:00 AM Sorry I missed your comment. Thanks for your visit.

Quoth Theraven Date: 5/1/2025 8:19:00 PM Richard, Amazed at the escape artist and attempt to jailbreak from this construct you've made, and brilliantly at that. -Richard Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 5/17/2025 3:05:00 PM Much appreciated, thanks for reading and commenting.

Anne Winter Date: 4/30/2025 1:33:00 AM Dear Richard, this poem is really thought provoking. Sometime justice is really blind. In this cruel world, there are some innocent people that are rotting in jail while some actual criminals are walking free on the streets. And your poem captures this very appropriately. Best, Anne. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 4/30/2025 7:06:00 AM Thanksfor reading and sharing your thoughts.

James Marshall Goff Date: 4/27/2025 6:06:00 AM Such warm responses to your awesome talent Richard, I concur with those below! Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 4/27/2025 6:44:00 AM Thanks James.

Hilda Greenhough Date: 4/26/2025 2:43:00 PM Your poem is very descriptive. It stirs my mind to imagine the harshness of incarceration. I hate to see someone there, but not sure I want them out. It is a lot to think about. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 4/26/2025 3:21:00 PM Totally understand. It’s hard to balance between protecting the public and rehabilitation. It’s important to remember there are people around the world incarcerated for political reasons. Justice is sometimes both blind and complicit.

Byeol Captain Date: 4/24/2025 5:21:00 AM This poem is a good piece, exploring how we are prisoners of our own addiction and expectations in poetic way. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 4/24/2025 6:06:00 AM Thanks for reading and commenting.

Arthur Vaso Date: 4/21/2025 2:03:00 AM Loved this, speaking for humanity and with compassion, my type of poetry. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 4/21/2025 5:54:00 AM Thanks my friend.

Tom Woody Date: 4/19/2025 12:31:00 PM True freedom resides within? I see where you're going Rick. In fact, JW's in Russia are being thrown into prison for merely attending a Christian meeting or having a Bible discussion. Some are getting six and seven year sentences. But their integrity and faithfulness keep them looking upward toward the moon and beyond Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 4/19/2025 1:09:00 PM Yes providing what spirit resides within us. Bondage or freedom. What humans think is freedom is often the former. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Susan Ashley Date: 4/19/2025 9:48:00 AM Dear Richard, this is such a fantastic, soulful, reflective poem. I adore the concept of one's soul, imagination, thoughts being free though physically confined. Such a poignant, compassionate piece with a deep, emotionally resonate finale. An amazing piece of haunting sorrow, empathic beauty, hope, despair and realizations yet to occur. Warmest wishes my poet friend.. ~Susan Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 4/19/2025 1:10:00 PM Thanks for the warm wishes. I appreciate your thoughtful response.