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The Poem of the Week is the highest rated poem from the previous week on PoetrySoup. We use a special formula to determine the selected poem. A poem cannot be selected more than once as poem of the week. Also, the poem must have been posted within the past week (or so). See also: Poem of the Day.

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Below is the poem of the day entitled Clouds which was written by poet Richard Lamoureux.

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Clouds

A paper man
Under paper clouds
The sky is falling
and he doesn’t know why

His edges are folded
He feels he’s undone
There isn’t any warmth
from a paper sun

Cellophane grass
Cardboard under feet
He has a paper girlfriend 
With a paper heartbeat

His feelings feel flat
Just a few wrinkles 
Paper snow is falling
A tinfoil star twinkles

A world of my creation
I just want to feel
Hoping my sky won’t fall
Nothing feels real

I’m three dimensional 
Under a real sky
There’s hope beyond clouds
When my mind tries to lie

So I grasp for happy
A bit of pleasure too
Even when it’s not easy
It’s just what I do.

Inspired by a friend.
As men we are taught to keep our feelings to ourselves and suffer in silence.  In 2012 I went through  depression and it took me a long time to look for help.  When our feelings are flat and the world feels two dimensional, seek help and reach out to a friend. There are people who love us. There is no reason to suffer in silence. Colour returned to my world and I am thankful. The sky didn’t fall even though in the moment it felt so real.

Sally Eslinger Date: 7/1/2025 7:07:00 AM This poem is so true & your explanation did help me relate completely. My husband of 43 years, all time since i’ve known him, has suffered hard, often debilitating depression bouts. 3 times he sought prof help & they actually made it worse! At 65 now, i think he has conceived ways to live only a 25% paper life…i’m faving this…it helps me understand. Login to Reply

Maria Williams Date: 7/1/2025 5:20:00 AM Back again with a big congratulations on you POTW Richard. So well deserved...Hugs Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 7/1/2025 5:45:00 AM Thanks Maria. Hugs Rick.

Deb M Date: 7/1/2025 12:17:00 AM Here ,here Richard…men need to speak up and be heard for sure! Brilliant write so deserving of POTD….. Congrats…..Debx Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 7/1/2025 5:45:00 AM You are kind, thanks.

Sam Kauffman Date: 6/30/2025 1:57:00 PM Richard, congratulations on your POTW! What a wonderful honor for you and so well deserved with this poem that speaks the depth of your feelings and your courage to fight for life as your make the choice to "grasp" for hope and happiness. So happy for you. Blessings! Wonderful imagery and metaphor. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/30/2025 4:07:00 PM Thanks Sam. Hugs Rick.

Benjamin Bartley Date: 6/30/2025 11:34:00 AM Congratulations on this wonderful poem as POTW! All male poets aren't all tipsy pinky finger either. Poetry has always been an emotional outlet for me and deeply spiritual. Thanks for sharing! Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/30/2025 1:05:00 PM Good for you, it’s important to have an outlet to express one’s thoughts. Thanks for the visit.

Linda Alice Fowler Date: 6/30/2025 8:43:00 AM So good to see you again Richard. Your paper man is lucky indeed to have a friend to paint a multi-dimensional picture with you. It's easier to find paint than proof. LOL Congratulations on this PTW! Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/30/2025 1:06:00 PM Thanks Linda. I appreciate the humour.

Anne Winter Date: 6/30/2025 7:23:00 AM Dear Richard, congratulations on POTW! Enjoy your special week! :) Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/30/2025 1:04:00 PM Thanks Anne.

Daisy Meadows Date: 6/30/2025 12:06:00 AM A poem well written!! And such an important message!! Nobody knows how a person truly feels and when they hide behind a smile. Congratulations on your POTW. Well done. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/30/2025 5:47:00 AM Thanks Daisy.

Beryl Edmonds Date: 6/30/2025 12:04:00 AM Excellent Richard, very helpful words for those suffering in silence when life gets them down. Congratulations on receiving the honour of poem of the week. Beryl Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/30/2025 5:47:00 AM Much appreciated.

Karen Jones Date: 6/29/2025 8:34:00 PM I think this is an important poem! It’s powerful and gives voice to the challenges in a creative yet poignant manner. Bravo a fav from me and glad you persevered! Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/30/2025 5:48:00 AM Thanks so much Karen.

Brandy Nicole Date: 6/29/2025 6:05:00 PM Dear Richard, so thankful your world is in color now. Holding emotions inside is unhealthy in so many ways. We need to let them out. Whether we write down or speak them aloud. Your thoughts caress softly around me and my heart. Yes, there's always hope, my dear friend. Congratulations on Poem of the Week. My best to you. Hugs, Brandy Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/30/2025 5:49:00 AM Thanksfor such a thoughtful response.

Jan Allison Date: 6/29/2025 1:48:00 PM dropping back with many congrats on your POTW Richard:-) hugs Jan xx Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/30/2025 5:49:00 AM Thanks Jan.

Tom Woody Date: 6/29/2025 9:55:00 AM Depression is real, but so is hope and recovery. Enjoy your full week in the spotlight Richard Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/29/2025 11:49:00 AM Thanks Tom, what a nice surprise.

Paula Goldsmith Date: 6/29/2025 9:18:00 AM Back with Congratulations on your POTW win. I enjoyed reading your "Clouds" write again. Have a very blessed day with your wonderful win................ Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/29/2025 11:49:00 AM Thanks so much Paula.

Tania Kitchin Date: 6/29/2025 7:28:00 AM Richard, an excellent poem and message. Congratulations on POTW. Nice to see you back on PS. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/29/2025 11:50:00 AM Thanks Tania, what a nice surprise.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 6/27/2025 4:55:00 PM Splendid message well expressed through thoughtful metaphor if the paper man. Good to know you are still posting here, Richard Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/27/2025 5:59:00 PM Not a lot but occasionally. Thanks for the visit.

Ink Empress Date: 6/27/2025 12:27:00 PM Your wordplay here is so creative dear richard, i love especially " cellophane grass" and the way youv expressed too: often men are told to man up and as a mother of a son, i find that very frustrating, especially as men too have emotions and should be able to express freely. Keep sharing your thoughts and i hope this would encourage many more to not remain silenced afraid of what the society would think or say. Pleasure reading his heartfelt and raw poem. So poetically delivered! A fave for me. Sending you light always Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/27/2025 5:59:00 PM Much appreciated, always nice to have a visit from you.

Valsa George Date: 6/27/2025 9:54:00 AM I could feel your pain. However, you strove to come out of the pit of depression and you have been successful. When we can't solve a problem, seek the help of others. Some may come to our aid. Always trust...."there’s hope beyond clouds". Very inspirational, dear friend. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/27/2025 6:08:00 PM Thankfully between God and positive relationships, I have been blessed. Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/27/2025 6:00:00 PM Thankfully between God and positive relationships, I have been blessed.

Hiya Sharma Date: 6/27/2025 8:16:00 AM Dear Richard, this is such a raw and soul-moving poem that reflects enormous depth. Everyone in this world has the right to freely and fully express how they truly feel ~ no one deserves to be under the persistent burden of overwhelming emotions that form extremely dark clouds and it becomes overbearing to carry such weight. I can resonate with so many emotions you've portrayed here.. You've shown impeccable strength here, putting your heart and conveying the reality behind this poem. Truly encouraging for so many! And you for sure infused life in that paper man now! Thank you've for sharing this very heartfelt poem with us ~ sending you light and best wishes always. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/27/2025 6:04:00 PM I love this response. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/27/2025 6:01:00 PM I love this response. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.

Anne Winter Date: 6/27/2025 7:58:00 AM Dear Richard, there are still some people in this world who encourage toxic masculinity. And it's absolutely wrong. As human beings, everyone has a right to express their emotions freely. Your poem is liberating and well written! Best, Anne Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/27/2025 6:03:00 PM Thanks Anne, I could not agree more. Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/27/2025 6:02:00 PM Thanks Anne, I could not agree more.

Paula Goldsmith Date: 6/25/2025 2:52:00 PM What a powerful write you have here. As I read your "Clouds", I thought when I was a child. You said, " paper clouds, edges are folded, Cardboard under feet, He has a paper girlfriend. This made me think of paperdolls we played with. Then I reached your note on the bottom. WOW!!! Depression is real and one needs help with it. So glad you are OK. Have a very blessed day writing away......... Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/25/2025 8:11:00 PM Thanks Paula, thankfully life is good. Enjoying our retirement.

Jan Allison Date: 6/25/2025 9:58:00 AM bravo for writing this on such a difficult subject and for revealing your own battle with depression , hopefully you will encourage more men to open up about their issues - write on Rick! hugs Jan xx Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/25/2025 8:10:00 PM Thanks Jan, I’m thankful I don’t continue to deal with depression.

Maria Williams Date: 6/25/2025 6:57:00 AM Dear Richard, This is beautifully honest and deeply moving. Your imagery is so vivid — fragile yet powerful — and the message is one that truly matters. Thank you for sharing not just the poem, but the heart behind it. There’s strength in vulnerability, and your words remind us that even in paper worlds, hope is real. I wrote one called Smoke and Mirrors that you might like to listen to...Hugs Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/25/2025 8:02:00 AM Thanks for this heartfelt response. Hugs Rick.

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