Richard Lamoureux Poet Free verse

You Can'T

I try to understand
What it was like
For you
When your world 
Consisted of
You can't

You can't
Sit at the front of the bus
You can't drink from that fountain
You can't look that man in the eye
When you speak to him
It's yes sir
How high sir

You can't 
You can't 
You can't better your life
You can't go to that school
You can't be friends with that boy or girl

Then you Rose
Parked yourself
In a front seat of a bus
sat with quiet strength
With an immovable spirit you said no
Enough
I deserve more
I demand your respect
You drank from freedoms fountain
You exerted you
Took what was 
Changed it to what is
What is
Is because of you and the many
That fought 
not with hands 
but galvanized spirits

The call of yes we can
Yes we can
You became part of the we
Participants
Livers of the dream

Doors opened
A crack
Some still try to hold you back
Yet you know 
You can
Those glorious words
Fought for
Earned
Deserved
Finally 
Thankfully
Taken
Realized
That chance at a better life
Your piece of American Pie
Your life
Rooted in 
You
Yes you 
Yes you can!
You will
You have
Finally you have a home
a country
That belongs to you

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Monterey Sirak March 9, 2014 at 5:13 AM A moving tribute! "Drank from freedom's fountain" I love it! Richard Lamoureux March 9, 2014 at 9:14 AM I'm am glad!

Monterey Sirak March 9, 2014 at 5:12 AM A moving tribute! "Drank from freedom's fountain" I love it!

Andrea Dietrich March 7, 2014 at 8:58 AM Magnificent tribute to this woman. I recently talked about her with my ESL students and showed a video from youtube about her. She had quite an amazing life. Richard Lamoureux March 7, 2014 at 9:20 AM She is an example of the strength within quiet.

Shadow Hamilton March 7, 2014 at 8:06 AM a most wise pen Rick discrimination is always a bad thing great write hugs Richard Lamoureux March 7, 2014 at 8:09 AM Thanks Shadow.

Verlena S. Walker March 6, 2014 at 1:22 PM Rick, very impressive. Your message empowers those who are within a racial tension environment.... Rightful minded you are :)s... Verlena Richard Lamoureux March 6, 2014 at 2:08 PM Thanks Verlena, I appreciate the visit and comment.

Just That Archaic Poet March 6, 2014 at 10:45 AM Ok, I'm in line with everyone else: I thought this was about Rosa Parks and Civil Rights. Very strong and powerful message, Richard. Well-expressed, also. This is an excellent socially-conscious poem which is still relevant today. People are still being oppressed and persecuted for being different, and it's a sad fact. I applaud you, my friend; you captured the fight for freedom spirit most superlatively :) Just That Archaic Poet March 6, 2014 at 11:17 AM Sometimes I don't always get free-verse, but this was easily understood and quite moving, indeed :) Richard Lamoureux March 6, 2014 at 10:52 AM Thanks Chan, getting a positive comment from you on a non rhyming poem always means the world to me Chan. You rock buddy.

Richard D Seal March 5, 2014 at 7:46 PM I remember that well Rick, Rosa Parks on the bus, just takes one to make a stand and see what followed, and about time too. Take care, Richard Richard Lamoureux March 5, 2014 at 8:26 PM You as well Rich, have a good night.

Eileen Manassian March 5, 2014 at 9:43 AM WOW! WOW WOW WOW! I like! :) The power of fighting back. Standing for what you believe it......at whatever cost. Awesome, Rick! Eileen Manassian March 5, 2014 at 9:53 AM Read Becca's blog and you will know what it's all about! Solidarity with Charmaine.... Richard Lamoureux March 5, 2014 at 9:51 AM Thanks Eileen, I like the glasses!