Richard Lamoureux | + Follow Poet |
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Town Kid

Town Kid

I am a town kid 
A white faced kid
A lonely kid

Face pressed up against the glass
Watching, listening to other kids playing 
Knowing my shoes and clothes are safe
No grass stains on my pants
No puddles to make mud pies
My eyes envy the sky
My heart follows the laughter
My soul feels dry
Just a sad little guy
With my face pressed against the glass 
as another summer slips past.

Later I have a job to do
Daddy won’t let me go out today
I always have to do things his way
“Pour me another drink Ricky!” 
I comply saying “Okay.”
I’m a nine year old bartender,
who just wants to go out and play.

Maybe I’m not really a town kid,
but I am a white faced kid
and a lonely kid....

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Kim Rodrigues Date: 11/26/2023 6:51:00 AM Wow! This touches the heart of a kid whose life is less than perfect, perfectly out of balance with the picture perfect life of some. I am guessing this is directly about you. Thank you for sharing this. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 11/30/2023 6:07:00 PM Yes It is part of my story. Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate your compassion.

Valsa George Date: 11/26/2023 3:37:00 AM Childhood is the time to play. At a young age, if children are made to take up small jobs without any free time, it is really sad. A poignant piece, Richard. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 11/30/2023 6:08:00 PM Thanks Valsa. I am a big kid now. I enjoy being playful.

Evelyn Judy Buehler Date: 11/25/2023 4:55:00 PM So sad, Richard. It's so great that children can grow up and change their circumstances. Blessings. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 11/30/2023 6:09:00 PM Blessings to you as well.

Marikate Kingston Date: 11/19/2023 7:30:00 PM So sad. Damn the drink. Children can suffer and sink, or become grown ups who can talently write, removing themselves from their childhood plight. My father enjoyed the drink too, and would say often " Friends are only for good time Charlies, Marikate" I didn't listen. You're very talented Richard and I always enjoy your poetry. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 11/30/2023 6:10:00 PM Thanks so much. I love this response.

Eileen Manassian Date: 11/18/2023 2:37:00 AM Big hugs to you, Richard. My heart aches for that little boy. My heart rejoices for the person you are today...a caring, conscientious man. I'm not in Facebook much. I'll comment on your poems here if you post. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 11/18/2023 11:25:00 AM Thanks, I posted here more than in 2022. There’s some you might like. I appreciate the visit and kind words. Hugs Rick.

Gershon Wolf Date: 11/16/2023 11:13:00 PM Lonely, O so lonely, Richard. Back in the day, we used to call them 'townies.' You have nailed the description. ~ Gershon Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 11/17/2023 7:06:00 AM Thanks for reading Gershon.

Hilda Greenhough Date: 11/16/2023 6:53:00 PM This was a very informative, but also very sad poem. When we hear one of these stories, we know there are thousands more unwritten ones.Thank you for bringing attention to child abuse. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 11/16/2023 6:56:00 PM Thanks for taking time to read and comment.

Charles Messina Date: 11/15/2023 2:58:00 AM Geez, the sad thing is that there are probably more under-teen tenders than we know. I cringed when some of my "begone" friends have actually had the gall to do that exact thing. A touching write, Rick. Hope it wasn't true with you, my friend. Hope all is well. Charlie Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 11/15/2023 5:21:00 AM Thanks for commenting. Unfortunately this only scratches the surface. Thankfully My story has a happy ending.

Tom Woody Date: 11/13/2023 6:48:00 AM My wife's first husband was like that, asking his two year old to fetch daddy a beer. So sad. Poignant piece Rick Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 11/13/2023 7:02:00 AM Thanks for giving it a read Tom.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 11/12/2023 10:10:00 AM Such a sad one. . so interesting how you call yourself a bartender to soften the reality of being a neglected child living with another's alcoholism. This is very well written, Richard Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 11/13/2023 6:35:00 AM Thanks Andrea. Now that I’m grown I’m a big kid. Thanks for reading.

Ink Empress Date: 11/12/2023 2:26:00 AM This made me sad, and made think and feel so much for those children having to grow up way beyond their age, and in this case how you’ve said , had to be a bartender when all this nine year old wanted to do was be like other kids, play and live, so sad! Very touching poem. Loved reading this . And felt every line strongly. Sending you light always Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 11/12/2023 6:32:00 AM Thanks for the light and taking time to read and comment.