Eileen Manassian Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

A Different Kind of Dragon Slayer

She moans and tosses
He sleeps lightly as always
And quickly is wide awake
Aware of her every move
He knows what will follow
He is ready

The moaning becomes a scream
He feels the terror 
Knows the vile dragon that she battles
In her nightmare
Filled with hatred for the beast
He moves closer to her
“Don’t touch me!
Get your dirty filthy hands off me
“Get off…Get OFF
Stop it!  STOP!”  She  shrieks
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

And he gently shakes her awake
Then moves back
As she bursts into sobs
“It’s just a dream…
I’m here….sh….there now
It’s only me!
He’s gone…he’s gone!”

And yet…though every cell
Is dying to rock her in his arms
He holds back
Knowing…she will cringe at his touch
And push him away
If he moves too fast
First he must slay the dragon

“I’ll never let him touch you again”
He whispers…gently moving closer…closer
“He’s gone…Gone.”
He is almost there
“If he EVER lays a finger on you…
I’ll make him pay….
You’re safe with me.
He won't EVER hurt you again."

Her hysterical sobbing 
Quiets down
Almost imperceptibly

She sits up and pulls her knees in to herself
Burying her face in them as she rocks back and forth
Crying....more softly now
“NO ONE will ever hurt you again….”
There…he’s ready to gather her into his arms
She looks up into his eyes
The look of revulsion disappears
When she sees the dragon slayer of her dreams
There beside her…with love in his eyes
Still she holds back...feeling tainted, spoiled…dirty
Her hands running up and down her arms
Desperate to clean the marks
Of dragon fingerprints
Burned into her flesh

He understands and whispers
“You are mine now"…
He holds her hand
"You are so beautiful....
My angel…
I'm"...

And before he finishes
She throws herself into his arms
And holds on for dear life
To the dragon slayer...
Her savior

He doesn't know how long it takes
Until she falls back to sleep
Her even rhythmic breathing 
Warming his neck
His arms enfolding her

There is so much he can't understand
So much of her that he still doesn't know
But he is sure of one thing…
He’d give his everything
He'd give his life
To slay every last dragon
Of her night.

Eileen Manassian Ghali

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Eve Roper February 9, 2017 at 12:43 AM Wonderful write, Eileen, every word so enticing for the next... We all need a dragon slayer in our lives to protect us....

Laura Breidenthal November 1, 2015 at 8:04 PM That fourth stanza... wow... this is an awesome verse Eileen! The ending lines are so powerful and touching as well. My favorite lines- "And yet…though every cell Is dying to rock her in his arms He holds back"...amazing work~ Always, Laura

Richard Lamoureux October 30, 2015 at 1:07 AM Thanks, I haven't received a lot of responses. I'm still pleased with how it came out.

Afolabi Muideen October 29, 2015 at 3:32 PM Wow! What a very lovely write. Your descriptive is eloquent and excellent. It end is intriguing. Beautiful poem...............A..M.

Heather Ober October 29, 2015 at 1:42 PM You are SO good at pulling us into your stories with heart-wrenching descriptions, showing us beautiful snippets of compassion and humanity. Only an empathetic soul like you could write like this!! Eileen Manassian October 29, 2015 at 1:50 PM Oh...sweetie. It's already a movie in my mind. I have a title and everything. I've written a few chapters, but right now I'm mistress to Poetry. ;) Thanks for coming back. The title....The Broken Man. Heather Ober October 29, 2015 at 1:46 PM I was just thinking about how great you would be at writing short stories or novels! :) Please let me know if you ever write it. I would be an instant fan! Eileen Manassian October 29, 2015 at 1:43 PM Thanks, dear. It is a fictitious write, but it does come from some thoughts that I want to someday put into a novel. Someday...someday. Thanks for the visit, sweetie. Hope all is well. Hugs

Richard Lamoureux October 29, 2015 at 9:34 AM Hi Eileen, finally I have found some time to post a new one. I hope you get a break from your busy schedule. Hugs Rick. Eileen Manassian October 29, 2015 at 1:44 PM I read it, dear. It's magnificent. :)

Kp Nunez October 29, 2015 at 4:33 AM This is a powerful poetic interpretation of a gripping psychological drama, Eileen. You have such great way with tackling quite uncomfortable issues. Way to go, lady! hugs! Eileen Manassian October 29, 2015 at 1:45 PM Hello, dear. I'm glad you stopped by to read this write. I can only feel for women who are subjected to sexual abuse. :( Thanks for reading and posting...hugs to you! :)

Robert Lindley October 28, 2015 at 9:46 PM Protection from such a beast often never comes for some women.In some cultures/religions they are chattel(property) , to be used anyway the male desires. Great and expressive write on this subject. Your talent never fails.. A7 Eileen Manassian October 29, 2015 at 1:46 PM Robert, thank you for visiting my poem about the Dragon Slayer. You are so right. It's just so disheartening how some women are treated. To find a picture for this poem, my heart broke when I viewed the images. Thanks for the visit, dear...and for those last four words.

Nette Onclaud October 28, 2015 at 7:09 PM wow, something different from you, eileen... i like how the whole verse unfolded... yes, we wish to feel safe... huggs Eileen Manassian October 29, 2015 at 1:49 PM Thanks for the visit, Nette. I do write on different genres. I'm glad you liked this. Thanks for stopping by.

Charmaine Chircop October 28, 2015 at 11:36 AM This poem describes deeply the effect of after -abuse.People who experience abuse..especially sexual abuse needs a dragon -slayer indeed to give them security, love and comfort.Very very deep , lady. Eileen Manassian October 28, 2015 at 11:47 AM Thank you, my sweet friend. :) Glad you stopped by. I read your poem Moon and Sun and it's superb. I was on my phone at the time....Sometimes when I'm tired...I'll lie in bed and read poetry...but not post. Thanks for visiting me. Your poem was amazing and I loved it very much. Hugs

Eneria Fuentes October 28, 2015 at 11:26 AM amazing :) Eileen Manassian October 28, 2015 at 11:46 AM Awwww....Thanks, dear. Will be by to visit soon. Hugs...

Richard Lamoureux October 28, 2015 at 9:07 AM Hi Eileen, I hope all is well. Eileen Manassian October 28, 2015 at 10:39 AM Hello, dear. Yes. It is. I'm very busy with work. I'm teaching two new courses and so that takes a lot of time from me, and other things have kept me busy. I see you haven't posted a new poem either. I just resorted to posting an older write until I can get my Muse to visit me again. Hugs

Dr. Upma A. Sharma October 28, 2015 at 8:31 AM Very wonderful write dear Eileen! You really hv a way with words ! Great pen ! Eileen Manassian October 28, 2015 at 10:39 AM Thanks, my dear Dr Upma. Very kind of you to visit. Hugs

David Meade October 27, 2015 at 8:51 PM May the tears of the betrayed always give witness to a greater love -- well done LO! 7 Eileen Manassian October 28, 2015 at 10:41 AM Thanks, David. Always good to have a visit from you. Hope you get back to writing soon.

Michael Tor October 27, 2015 at 5:56 PM Eileen a champion for abuse. The dragon slayer every abused woman should have. Thanks for sharing. Eileen Manassian October 28, 2015 at 10:42 AM Michael, you are very kind. I just read on post to Richard that you are a DRUMMER????!!!!! WOW! I wrote a poem about drummers. I think it's entitled....It's Always the Drummer. Check it out. :) Hugs

Demetrios Trifiatis October 27, 2015 at 4:57 PM Brilliantly written poem that captivates and inspires the reader! So vivid and detailed that leaves no one unmoved! A seven dear Eileen! Eileen Manassian October 28, 2015 at 10:43 AM Thank you, my dear poet. You always lift my spirits with your kind visits.

Kathie Shank October 27, 2015 at 3:41 PM What a tribute to those who have experienced abuse. Many need a dragon slayer. Very powerful. Eileen Manassian October 28, 2015 at 10:43 AM Yes, Kathie. We need more dragon slayers in this world. Thanks ever so much for the visit.

Jan Allison October 27, 2015 at 2:37 PM The imagery is so vivid - the ending so so so moving Eileen :-) hugs jan xx Eileen Manassian October 28, 2015 at 10:44 AM Thanks, sweetie. Aren't you so sweet! I read your poem, but didn't post a comment as I was on my phone....and I'm so much faster on the laptop. In Malta, eh? You get to see Paul....Oh...I envy you. Please give him a hug from me. Sending love....

Tim Smith October 27, 2015 at 2:25 PM A very moving piece Eileen. He would do anything for her for he is her protector....lovely Tim Eileen Manassian October 28, 2015 at 11:48 AM Yes, Tim. Men like this are rare. I mean...in the Middle East....unfortunately, some would consider the woman...tainted. So sad....Thanks for the visit, dear. Hugs

Richard Lamoureux October 27, 2015 at 1:55 PM Beautiful, such a wonderful depiction of this relationship. It felt so real and honest. I enjoyed reading it again. What did I say last time??! Eileen Manassian October 28, 2015 at 10:30 AM Thanks, Richard. This is a purely fictitious write. I can't even remember how it came to me, but the idea of a man being a defender has always appealed to me. It takes a man of a certain caliber to be able to love a woman who has been raped or sexually abused. The man in this poem....is a knight. :) Hugs