From the Mouth Of a Lebanese Child

I'm scared to close my eyes tonight
I ask my mom to hold me tight
To tell me it will be alright,
and rock me close till morning light

I hear my auntie start to cry,
and no one wants to tell me why
my uncle's gone without goodbye
I wonder what it's like to die

I miss my home, and my best friend
She said this war was going to end
that other countries would defend
Perhaps she's playing just pretend

My mom said now she's on a plane
I'm glad she's not here in this rain,
or wounded and in awful pain
Iike those of us who must remain

I try to block the noise to sleep,
while thinking our lives must be cheap
I pray to God our souls to keep
To calm the fear that's running deep

I'm splashing in a little stream,
but why do I hear mother scream?
The blasts are real and not a dream!
Oh, God! This is the end it seems.

Eileen Manassian Ghali
October 5, 2024
Beirut, Lebanon
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024


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Date: 4/30/2025 11:38:00 AM
Reality SU%$*.
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Date: 12/5/2024 5:42:00 AM
What’s going on in the word makes no sense. I lack words to express my lack of understanding. So much hate and destruction.
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Date: 11/27/2024 10:44:00 AM
Such heartfelt experiences written from a child in a war torn place. Of a sad place to reside in not knowing what dangers that lay ahead. I can't imagine what children are going through in this God awful situation but you have shared how you feel and I am sure through your feelings they are feeling these same feelings of dread and wanting peace and closure to these events that have no business in their lives caused by others in control that do not seek an end to war. Touching write Eileen I
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Michael Tor
Date: 11/27/2024 10:54:00 AM
So so glad to hear this God sending news. I am so hopeful for a better days to come., and for peace to return to Lebanon. I have good friend that are from Lebanon and your words describe how you feel, for they have families there still. God bless you and may this war end now...
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Michael Tor
Date: 11/27/2024 10:49:00 AM
wish Peace and pray it comes soon for the sake of the children and all souls this war affects. Another favorite for your thoughtful and heartfelt words of the precious children's feelings through your own. God bless you and protect you and the children Eileen. A fav...
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Eileen Manassian
Date: 11/27/2024 10:48:00 AM
Thank you, Michael. Today a cease for was declared in Lebanon. Many displaced people are returning to the South. They will have to rebuild. There has been too many loss of lives. It's always the innocent who suffer. Thank you for passing by.
Date: 10/30/2024 11:30:00 AM
Excellent verse, a thoughtful appeal to humanity, in fine poetic form.
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Eileen Manassian
Date: 11/3/2024 8:57:00 PM
Thanks ever so much for passing by. Much appreciated.
Date: 10/27/2024 8:38:00 AM
Why can't opposing enemies decide to make peace? It is the young who suffer. I hope your last stanza is fiction. It would break my heart if something bad happened to your mother.
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Eileen Manassian
Date: 11/3/2024 8:55:00 PM
Yes, dear. It is fiction. My mother died in the year 2000 from MS related issues. Peace is illusive in this region. Thanks for stopping by.
Date: 10/27/2024 4:26:00 AM
It's always the children who suffer, and in the 21st century, it seems not a lot has changed.
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Eileen Manassian
Date: 10/27/2024 4:38:00 AM
Nothing will change. It's human nature to be power mad. It's so sad. At least one can speak out. Thanks for your visit.
Date: 10/22/2024 9:06:00 AM
Hi Eileen, sadly the madness continues, I no longer watch the news anymore, it's to distressing, knowing we cannot do anything to stop it. God bless them.
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Eileen Manassian
Date: 10/27/2024 4:40:00 AM
Yes. The news is enough to drive anyone over the edge. Still.. we can't insulate ourselves completely. We need to bring awareness and fight for justice.
Date: 10/22/2024 1:29:00 AM
I came back to re read this, from the voice of a child within.
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Eileen Manassian
Date: 10/22/2024 3:47:00 AM
Second visits are always precious. Thank you.
Date: 10/21/2024 8:48:00 PM
Dear Eileen, I admire and applaud you for your sacrifice and empathise with you. This poem is so full of sadness and emotion calling out. It can apply to so many people in all war torn countries -I'm not political, I'm also thinking of Ukraine and Russia (where war was forced upon them too by a despot) Then the other wars also being threatened. What's wrong with them, I ask myself. The planet also is being harmed. Hugs Maria. PS who says you are not good at Lyrics - Your poem is a lyric in itself
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Eileen Manassian
Date: 10/21/2024 10:02:00 PM
Thank you, dear. Of course, children in are suffering also in the Ukraine and Russia. I have a dear Ukrainian friend. Her posts about the war always touch my heart. We are helpless to do anything about it. I've tried my hand at writing lyrics... they always fall flat. Thank you for your encouragement. That's my next big goal. Blessings
Date: 10/21/2024 8:43:00 PM
This emotive poem makes quite an impact, especially with the tragic ending. Poor kids everywhere living through war.
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Eileen Manassian
Date: 10/21/2024 10:05:00 PM
Yes, dear Andrea. Adults can at least understand loss, children can't and are forced to become adult like before their time. Lots of displaced children sleeping in the streets of Beirut. Winter is coming.... what can I say?
Date: 10/21/2024 3:51:00 PM
Vivid images are painted by this poem! It’s sad and important you penned it! May God protect and keep you and your loved ones.
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Eileen Manassian
Date: 10/21/2024 10:05:00 PM
Thank you, Karen. Bless you for your kind words.
Date: 10/21/2024 8:54:00 AM
Heartrending...God bless you in that you're a voice for the voiceless...this makes me tear up- keep safe
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Eileen Manassian
Date: 10/21/2024 10:06:00 PM
I try, dear. Thank you for empathising. Makes me believe in humanity again. Some are so apathetic that I lose hope. Big hugs
Date: 10/21/2024 5:12:00 AM
What can one write? Living in such a war struggle, our relatives try to lull us to peace. Easier said than done.
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Eileen Manassian
Date: 10/21/2024 10:09:00 PM
Victor, peace comes at a price. Collateral damage is maimed, burned, disfigured people or those mourning their dead. A better day is coming...
Date: 10/19/2024 11:23:00 PM
What can I say, I am in tears.
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Eileen Manassian
Date: 10/20/2024 8:18:00 PM
You have a empathising heart. Bleed you for that. I'll be by to visit your work in the next two days. I'm so swamped at the moment.
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