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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

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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.

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

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...

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

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. :)

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

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

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...

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.

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

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...

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.

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.

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.