Richard Lamoureux | + Follow Poet |
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The Art of Understanding

You so desperately 
Want to be understood
So I wonder
Why
Why do you
Hold back
So much of yourself

I see him digging
Chipping at your edges
Wondering what's behind the facade
He waits between your breaths
Ponders your pauses
Looks for answers
Pardons your harshness

He sees beyond the obvious
Is aware of your audible sadness
The place no one touches
Imperceptibly he reaches 
Pushes past your protective
To the deeper you
The precious part
The unknown softness
The magnificence of you
The inner art
The revelation 
of an unsequestered heart

For in letting go
You can be freed
Reach out for his hand
Let him take the lead
For he deserves 
all of you
You deserve 
all of him too
I see
I understand
I know
It's hard to let go
He's patient and will move slow
If you both want it
Love will grow
And you will be
Truly
Finally
Understood

Copyright © Richard Lamoureux | Year Posted 2014

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Monterey Sirak Date: 11/9/2014 8:09:00 AM Favorite poem!! Emotional and close to my life. My husband still 'ponders my pauses' and every day is a continuing journey to true understanding. Login to Reply Monterey Sirak Date: 11/10/2014 7:02:00 AM Yes we are fortunate. James also accepts my little mysteries and quirks that he can't figure out. He just shrugs, laughs, and calls it a 'Monti thing'. Were you reading somewhere in public when your meaning got mixed up? That is funny, it could lead the poem down a whole new path. Richard Lamoureux Date: 11/9/2014 11:12:00 AM It seems you and I are fortunate to have that special person who wishes to understand us. A funny side note, I read this one and part of the meaning got mixed up, "he waits between your breaths" was taken as "he waits between your breasts" *lol*

Sarai Virden Date: 10/30/2014 1:36:00 AM Richard, This piece resonated so deeply, I bordered embarrassed as I read and found myself wondering "how did he know"? Then laughed... It drew such emotion! Absolutely beautiful read. Hope life is being good to you. Sarai Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 10/30/2014 8:10:00 AM I am touched by your response. Life has indeed been good. Hugs Rick.

Maurice Yvonne Date: 10/26/2014 4:01:00 AM This poem can be understood in many different ways. For example except for a few lines like "if you both want it" which do not fit, this could easily be about accepting Jesus in your heart. Perhaps using this as a catalyst you could write a companion piece that omits the parts that do not fit this interpretation then you would have two brilliant pieces. I know there would be many religious publications would love both pieces but if nothing else they would love this poem as is. If not for love... Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 10/30/2014 8:07:00 AM What a great comment Maurice, I will give that some thought.

Verlena S. Walker Date: 10/25/2014 5:28:00 PM A beautiful write Richard. (7) Verlena Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 10/30/2014 8:08:00 AM Thanks Verlena. I have been so busy I havn't visited much. Please be patient with me.

Robert Johnson Date: 10/23/2014 4:28:00 PM Perceiving human interaction. The art of opposites attraction. Filling in blanks misunderstood. If we never learn, it's just no good. There are a lot of lines to read between in this one Richard. Well done. Peace. :) Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 10/23/2014 4:36:00 PM Thanks Robert.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 10/21/2014 4:23:00 PM this is so lovely and it reminds me of what a father might be saying to his daughter on seeing a man falling in love with her! ME LIKES Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 10/22/2014 3:34:00 PM Thanks Andea. ;0)

Liam Mcdaid Date: 10/21/2014 9:43:00 AM powerful piece of writing love how you drew this Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 10/21/2014 10:09:00 AM Thanks Liam.

Timothy Hicks Date: 10/21/2014 1:05:00 AM Hold nothing back, but a few choice secrets. So that he'll keep coming wanting to know you even more. So much wisdom in this piece, Rick. We can't be understood while at the same time remain silent... Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 10/21/2014 1:59:00 AM In some cases I believe that is true. What is the reason the person is being silent? What hurts have they absorbed? If we learn these truths we may witness their rebirth. Others use their chatter to keep others from truly seeing who they are, if we listen to the silence between the words we may glimpse their essence. Timothy Hicks Date: 10/21/2014 1:19:00 AM Well said! Are more things being communicated than what is being said out loud? That's an interesting thought... Richard Lamoureux Date: 10/21/2014 1:17:00 AM Perhaps if people listen to the silence they can begin to truly understand the person.

Jiril Clemons Date: 10/19/2014 9:21:00 PM Brilliant piece, Richard. The art of letting go, and opening to yet another entity is indeed an experience we must submit to, in order to grow. Great honesty, and imagery. Enjoyable overall. Check out some of my newer poems. Might find some you like. Peace. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 10/19/2014 9:27:00 PM Thanks Jiril, I will be sure to check out your work. I'm just about to start dinner so I will be around later.

Carolyn Devonshire Date: 10/19/2014 1:46:00 PM Dear Richard, It seems like you can see inside my soul and find the reluctance to "let go" in a relationship again. Wish I could meet someone of your caliber. You would be a tough act to follow -- cute, sensitive and wise. Wow! Love this poem and it goes to my favorites. Carolyn Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 10/19/2014 11:02:00 PM You have me blushing, I'm glad you liked my poem. When the right man comes your reluctance will melt away.

Eileen Manassian Date: 10/19/2014 1:30:00 PM A lovely write, Richard...Full of meaning. Every line is carefully crafted... Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 10/19/2014 10:55:00 PM Thanks Eileen, I hope you had a good Sunday.

Brenda Meier-Hans Date: 10/19/2014 12:55:00 PM It's funny but this describes most people. We want so much to be understood yet we ourselves put up the brick walls. Beautifully written Richard. Thanks for the great advise on my poem. I gladly used it. Login to Reply

Casarah Nance Date: 10/19/2014 7:29:00 AM Wow, I feel like you are speaking to me in this one, You write with the understanding of the heart, a soft gentleness of knowing and offering realization. Hugsxx. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 10/19/2014 7:40:00 AM Thanks for being the first to comment Casarah Richard Lamoureux Date: 10/19/2014 7:38:00 AM Hugs back to you Casarah.