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Beirut

Beirut, Beirut...why do you charm me so? Why do you make my heart smolder With a never ending glow? Beirut, Beirut...why do you captivate? Why is it that when I see you I feel I'm at heaven's gate? Beirut, Beirut….how do you mesmerize? How do your bejeweled shores Make my heart fantasize? Beirut, Beirut….where can you try to hide? The buildings with the gaping holes, The ground on which martyrs died? Beirut, Beirut…..when will conflict ever cease? When will terror give up its reign, So you can be crowned with peace? Beirut, Beirut, you sparkle so at night When war scars are all covered up And I can revel in your light! Beirut, Beirut….when will you truly be? Free from the wretched stench of war Free to bask in your liberty. Beirut, oh Beirut, prosper and be strong Show the world your lovely face For God blessings to you belong! Eileen Manassian

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Kai Michael Neumann

Date: 3/7/2017 1:14:00 AM

A great tribute to Beirut. Are you from there? I have so far only read a bit of your poetry, but you employ a very sound and composed meter. Which I like, it is well rounded, Kai

Pashang Salehi

Date: 12/9/2016 1:30:00 AM

Great Eileen like always....

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 11/30/2016 1:13:00 PM

- Dear Eileen, Beirut do not want me visiting :))) ... I can not see this vidio, nothing ... just black ... - But, your poem is beautiful as always :) - Best wishes and warm hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Eileen Manassian
Date: 12/1/2016 5:08:00 PM

Yes, Beirut will welcome, Sunshine dear....have no worries. Perhaps I was working on some edits at the time and that is why the screen showed black. Love you

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 11/30/2016 3:27:00 AM

I know very little about Beirut except what you have shared. Great beauty must be within its spirit for one such as you has been born from its womb. A passionate, sad and hopeful piece. It reads like a prayer. Hugs Rick.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 11/30/2016 6:02:00 AM

Thank you, Rick, for this beautiful beautiful post. It has touched me deeply. I spent my formative years here. My mother sought refugee here and received her passport while still on the ship. Lebanon has a place in my heart. Thank you for seeing that. Hugs...

Alexis Y.

Date: 11/30/2016 12:32:00 AM

Hi Eileen, The love that you have for your homeland shows. I never thought about visiting Beirut, but your love and passionate for it is beckoning me to visit. Great recital of the poem and you look fabulous. Well done my friend. A without a doubt seven:-) Alexis

Eileen Manassian
Date: 11/30/2016 6:04:00 AM

Thanks, dear. You are very kind. I'm sorry I haven't visited of late. I've been ill and am still trying to recover. Thank you for taking the time to watch the video. Lebanon has its own charm. We have many foreigners living here who are quite happy. :) You are welcome to visit any time...Hugs

Sunlite Wanter

Date: 11/29/2016 6:29:00 PM

What an unexpected delight tonight! Beautiful poetry, beautiful recitation, and a far away connection. Thank you!

Eileen Manassian
Date: 11/30/2016 6:05:00 AM

Thank you for the visit, Sunlite. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I will be by to visit soon.

David Meade

Date: 11/29/2016 6:05:00 PM

OK LO, I just added Beirut on my bucket list to visit and I will take you up on your offer as tour guide!! Your love of Beirut is only matched by your love of poetry. I will subscribe to your channel . . . it was fun to hear your own voice reading this wonderful poem. Awesome!!

Eileen Manassian
Date: 11/30/2016 7:09:00 AM

I miss you, Coach. I don't know where you've been hiding!!! I'm glad you check up on me now and again. DO come to Beirut. We have American students studying at our university. One of them, who is in my Lit class, said that if he had the choice...he'd love to have chosen Lebanon as a place to be born and raised. :) BTW...I've lost 14 kilos since these videos were produced, so I'm much thinner now! :)

Arthur Vaso

Date: 11/29/2016 5:57:00 PM

I love when someone has a passion for where they are from or live, having been to Beirut, I didn't get the same impression you have described, then again, I didn't meet you, and thats like visiting a garden and not getting to see the flowers! I can say I must must return, because in such a small land, there is so much to cedar!! ( cee dar ) pardon the pun!

Eileen Manassian
Date: 11/30/2016 7:13:00 AM

Arthur....really! Visiting a garden and not seeing the flowers! How do you come up with these? I loved that pun as well. Lebanon is beautiful and there is much to see! Do come. Hugs

Charmaine Chircop

Date: 11/29/2016 3:55:00 PM

I want to love my homeland in the same way that you do sweet Eileen... You and your family are wonderful people..so I assume your land is a honeyed land with friendly people...May with the new president the sourness of war..that touched all countries at a point in time in this world...will leave yrBeirut too... I really think you lovely people deserve it to have your beautiful land in harmony at all times..and Eileen it will happen...I am moved..Big hugs..so happy to see you posting.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 11/30/2016 7:17:00 AM

I so hope so, Charmaine. I sense there is a new feeling of hope that is in people, especially now around Christmas time. Knowing that there is a president gives more of a sense of security. I do love Lebanon dearly, especially since my Mama loved it so much. You have a beautiful land and beautiful people. I was privileged to visit and meet you. I will never forget it. Sending hugs...

Tim Smith

Date: 11/29/2016 3:48:00 PM

Such a beautiful rendering Eileen. You are so good at spoken word poetry. Your other poetry is not to shabby either. : )

Eileen Manassian
Date: 11/30/2016 10:48:00 AM

Thanks, Tim. This is kind of you. I enjoy doing these little videos. I will start a new batch soon. I'm excited about that because I've lost quite a bit of weight and am more confident. :)

Jan Allison

Date: 11/29/2016 3:44:00 PM

Hearing your emotional recital of the poem brought tears to my eyes.Your passion for your country and your poetry shines out and BOY do you look fabulous my friend. :-) hugs Jan xx7

Jan Allison
Date: 11/30/2016 1:05:00 PM

Oh I can't wait to see the new videos I know you have lost an amazing amount of weight but you are truly beautiful my friend inside and out:-) hugs jan xx

Eileen Manassian
Date: 11/30/2016 10:58:00 AM

Thank you, sweetie. I appreciate the sweet comment. This is still from the old batch of programs....before my weight loss. I will be doing some new ones soon so you can all see the difference. I'm SO excited. I'm glad you liked the content of this piece, Jan. Lebanon has gone through some difficulties, but I hope that prosperity will reign now. Hugs, dear one.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 11/30/2016 10:56:00 AM

Oh sweetie....you are so good to me. Thank you. I'm glad that you were moved by this piece. Lebanon has gone through SO much and I believe it is time for it to enjoy prosperity. :) These are still from the old batch of programs, Jan, BEFORE the weight loss. I will record some new ones soon. :) Hugs

Caycay Jennings

Date: 11/29/2016 3:22:00 PM

Sweetheart, I often ponder how it is to live where you do, surely it is a constant sadness draped upon your heart. I cannot imagine. This is so lyrical and emotional that it would make a ball your head off song. A tender write, beautifully executed and leaves me emotionally touched ... CayCay

Eileen Manassian
Date: 11/30/2016 10:58:00 AM

My dear, CayCay...your post brings me joy because it reassures me that my words are able to convey what is in my heart. Thank you for affirming my humble efforts. Lebanon is deserving of the attention and love of the outside world. Thank you for your kind and loving heart.