Richard Lamoureux | + Follow Poet |
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The Dark Side of a Coin

I roll along a dark ledge
Teetering between yesterday and oblivion
Contemplating one final sin
My ultimate act of inner hate
Do I have a choice or is it fate?
A half second away from nowhere
Feeling cool air blowing through my hair
Wishing it could blow away my despair
Lungs sucking in blackened air
Wondering if I ever mattered
Imagining blood splattered 
on dappled concrete
As bones and surface meet

I flip gleefully 
Imagining my relief
Heart pounding in chest
Beneath the letter held close to my breast
Within it all my sins confessed
Carefully laid out goodbyes
Written in rhymes
Thanking loved ones for the good times
Apologizing 
Agonizing
Trying to explain
The coagulation in my brain
Thoughts that overrun me like a morbid freight train
Sunshine that never penetrates my rain

One pennied foot in front of the other
I roll out on the air
Wondering if anyone will care
My mind hyper aware
A feeling that someone is there
In that instant I change my mind
Rotate and look behind
There the Devil stands 
I see his hateful smile
He's been whispering all the while
In his hand he holds a file
Labeled "Souls I've Taken!"
I'm both stirred and shaken
I feel my mind breaking
as I'm awaken
Mom says "get out of bed"
My eyes wide open
Thankfully not dead
Remembering what the Devil's file said
Sun shining brightly
Through my window and pain
I'm alive and sane
Not a concrete stain
I thank God I'm here
Feeling thankful
Once again!


For Shadow's contest
Written March 5th 2015

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Gogster Dw Date: 4/20/2015 7:33:00 AM Hi Richard, I really enjoyed this read, its so deep and powerful and can be read on different levels. I really enjoyed this. Recina :-) Login to Reply

Cecilia Macfarlane Date: 3/18/2015 7:52:00 PM Richard, a thought provoking write, glad to see light overpowered the dark. Congrats on your excellent write and win! Hugs Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/19/2015 8:13:00 AM Thanks Cecilia, hugs back to you.

Rajat Kanti Chakrabarty Date: 3/12/2015 9:24:00 AM I'm alive and sane that is important in this mayhem world.Love Richard. Congrats on win. >>rajat Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/12/2015 9:41:00 AM Is any of us truly sane?

Dr. Upma A. Sharma Date: 3/12/2015 2:36:00 AM That's so lovely n expressive Richard! At times feelings everyone might get,, congrats on big win! Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/12/2015 8:21:00 AM Thanks Upma.

Jan Allison Date: 3/11/2015 3:19:00 PM Dropping back with my congrats Richard:-) Hugs Jan xx Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/12/2015 8:21:00 AM Thanks Jan, hugs to you too.

Shadow Hamilton Date: 3/11/2015 11:44:00 AM hi Rick congrats on 2nd place hugs Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/11/2015 12:47:00 PM Wow, thanks Shadow!

Shadow Hamilton Date: 3/10/2015 8:06:00 PM Rick I am about to post winners and you still have not dated your poem hugs Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/11/2015 10:44:00 AM Thanks for trying, I missed this message yesterday. Hugs Rick. Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/11/2015 10:35:00 AM Thanks, I had it dated but for some reason it seems to have disappeared.

Liam Mcdaid Date: 3/10/2015 10:49:00 AM oh how i relate to this powerful pen richard truly excellent piece of writing faith is a powerful weapon in darkness often i pray for the light our only salvation in the end really inspirational piece Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/12/2015 9:45:00 AM Great comment, thanks Liam.

Arthur Vaso Date: 3/8/2015 8:58:00 PM Wow this was very powerful and thought provoking, and again your turn darkness into light! A7 Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/12/2015 9:44:00 AM Thanks Arthur, you are kind!

Donna Jones Date: 3/8/2015 11:27:00 AM Wow Richard....I couldn't wait to get to the next line! Awesome job.....vibe of the movie no country for old men..simply love it..faving it Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/12/2015 9:46:00 AM Sorry somehow I missed this amazing comment. Thanks Donna.

Paul Callus Date: 3/8/2015 9:24:00 AM Dark, but ending in positivity. Powerfully expressed...thankful to be alive! Notwithstanding all, life is beautiful! #7 // paul Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/8/2015 9:29:00 AM Thank you Paul.

Nette Onclaud Date: 3/7/2015 4:41:00 PM such power in your word subtly dark and unique rick,, thanks for your recent contest.. very interesting,, huggs Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/7/2015 5:44:00 PM Thanks Nette. Huggs back to you.

Eileen Manassian Date: 3/7/2015 11:41:00 AM I miss reading something new, Rick. I hope you post what we talked about.....as it is. It's beautiful. Hugs Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/7/2015 5:46:00 PM I love this avatar it makes me think of the 60s.

Monterey Sirak Date: 3/7/2015 7:55:00 AM Fantastic, Rick. Your descriptions show how it is to reach that dark place, especially the first line..."I roll along a dark ledge" Sometimes all it takes is a small gust of wind to topple one way or the other. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/7/2015 5:46:00 PM Thanks Monterey.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/6/2015 5:59:00 PM I really enjoyed this one, Richard. i think Shadow will too, and it is not so dark when you consider it was only a dream in the end. I have a poem where the devil grabs me at the end. It was based on a true nightmare I had in the 70's. Was yours based on a real dream? Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/6/2015 6:03:00 PM No, just imagination and tapping into youthful feelings of despare.

Carrie Richards Date: 3/6/2015 4:53:00 PM I'm so glad to know this is not a current state of "dark".... These are powerful words, that I am sure many others will find kinship, from one time or another. We have all felt ourselves teetering at some time in our lives. A strong and powerful poem this is! Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/6/2015 5:29:00 PM Thanks Carrie.

Charmaine Chircop Date: 3/6/2015 3:03:00 PM cont- can become the brighter side of the coin,by being touched by the way true believers love and forgive.We all have a million chances to see the sun and feel its warmth,even the crucifier of Jesus had a chance and that fills me with hope.I am thankful that I was taught about my God,as the God of love.You will only be taken by angels Rick.You are human like me,but I can feel it,you love your God..A deep poem that makes me scrutinize my compassion for others..Powerful words Rick Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/6/2015 4:31:00 PM Thanks Charmaine, this thoughtful comment warms my heart.

Charmaine Chircop Date: 3/6/2015 2:54:00 PM This poem reminds me of Saul and St.Stephen.Saul killed st.stephen cuz he was a christian,and whilst stephen was being killed,He looked at Saul and forgave him.Saul later converted to christianity cuz of the act of love He saw and God.The devil cried that day im sure.Our inner hate for those who bring us suffering,that is the evil part in us and yes we can be taken,or praying to God to help us hate the evil deed yet not the enemy.The enemy is a victim of the devil too..He is taken,He too Login to Reply

Njeri Hunjeri Date: 3/6/2015 12:34:00 AM Am also guilty as charged of past dark thoughts. I enjoyed the write. I wish you the best in the contest Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/6/2015 9:00:00 AM Thanks Njeri.

David Meade Date: 3/5/2015 10:36:00 PM I felt the air sweeping past me as we fell and what a relief to be awaken . . . may we always hear that voice when darkness surrounds us! Well done Richard . . . you took us on a deadly trip and helped us see the nasty face of evil and hear the sweet voice of love. 7 Inspiring and empowering. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/6/2015 9:01:00 AM What a wonderful response David.

Kp Nunez Date: 3/5/2015 6:37:00 PM Riveting, as all your writes are, Richard. Intense emotions jump from the page and grips the reader. Outstanding piece. :D Kim Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/6/2015 9:02:00 AM You are kind Kim.

Jan Allison Date: 3/5/2015 3:12:00 PM such a powerful write Richard such intense sad imagery - my heart goes out to anyone with these dark thoughts and sadly it can end in tragedy - thankfully your poem has a more positive ending. excellent entry for the contest:-) Good luck:-) hugs Jan xx 7 xx Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/6/2015 9:02:00 AM Thanks Jan, I do prefer to end on a positive.

Casarah Nance Date: 3/5/2015 12:10:00 PM wow this is intense emotions, I understand them for once upon a time dark thoughts entered my mind, thankful for incomplete acts. Best of luck in the contest sweetie, hugs.xx Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/5/2015 1:48:00 PM Thanks dear one. I am thankful as well.

Emile Pinet Date: 3/5/2015 11:53:00 AM A sad story filled with hurt and deep human feelings. The author skillfully brought the reader into the story and we felt like we were there, entertaining deep thoughts spurred by the author's words. The rhythm worked well here, giving each line an emphases and strengthening the effect it had on the reader. Emile #7++++ Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/5/2015 1:49:00 PM I am pleased by your thoughtful reaction, thanks my friend.

Eileen Manassian Date: 3/5/2015 9:58:00 AM So did I, Richard. Those dark thoughts revisit me at times. Powerful write. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/5/2015 10:14:00 AM I hope you will seek God's comfort and never act upon the deceiver's lies. Hugs Rick.