Home » Poems » Eileen Manassian » Another Has-Been

Another Has-Been

They burst on the silver screen Each a goddess, a sultry queen Adept in the tricks of the trade Striving to make the grade They were each a living doll A beautiful image portrayed As every role they deftly played In each home, they were center stage Their latest movie all the rage They were careful not to fall The signs of age began to creep Plunging some in depression deep Forced to accept the lesser role Not to act, meant not being whole They tried the sad end to stall I wonder if someday to you I might become a “has-been” too If my poems lose their power Accolades no longer shower Will you remember to call? Eileen Manassian Ghali

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Richard D Seal

Date: 9/4/2013 4:49:00 PM

Film stars and models go into the business knowing of its physical limits. Most on here write for their own pleasure and the pleasure of others here reading and commenting on the work. Being a poet (of sorts) is only a matter of carrying on or giving up. Once a poet (of sorts) always one. Take care, Richard

Eileen Manassian
Date: 9/5/2013 11:06:00 AM

Of SORTS...Hmmmmmmmm....why the emphasis there, my dear. You either are one or you aren't one, yes? By whose standards does the Of SORTS apply? Are you just being humble? You are a TRUE BLOOD POET! Don't you forget it, Mr Seal. Regards from Mrs Manassian Ghali!

Honestly J.T.

Date: 9/4/2013 4:30:00 PM

Your poetry may not lose it's power. Think of Yeats, Percy and Mary Shelley, John Keats, Robert Browning, Emily Dickinson, Geoffery Chaucer... etc. These poets are dead and gone yet their literary work is still known to mankind

Eileen Manassian
Date: 9/5/2013 11:04:00 AM

Oh Justice...WOW...these people are OUT OF MY LEAGUE! ;) No, seriously...I know that family and friends may remember a little poem here and then, but at some point I had visions of grandeur...One of my last dreams that I may have to lay to rest...But I will ride the wave as long as I can. Thanks for the support! :)

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/4/2013 8:04:00 AM

It's sad for those souls to get old and lose what made them so important to the movie producers. I think a poet does not have to worry about that, unless he gets daffy with age!! I enjoyed this.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 9/4/2013 8:11:00 AM

Thanks every so much, Andrea. I do beg to differ, though. You can be a has been poet...on a personal level! I mean....somehow the words may lose the magic. It's a sad thought. I've seen it happen here. We write to express ourselves, but we can't deny that other dimension...the response. That feeds us. If it isn't there...I guess we'd dry up!

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 9/4/2013 7:25:00 AM

Did you mean they're latest movie? With poetry the boundaries of age have no relevance. Horray for poetry! You have nothing to worry about.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 9/4/2013 8:12:00 AM

RICHARD!!!! THANK YOU for keeping an eye out on my blunders! :) I do appreciate it. YES..that is what I meant and I corrected it! You think I have nothing to worry about??? Hmmmmmmmmm..........hmmmmmmmm......hmmmmmmmmm.....I sure hope so! ;)

Yvette Lisa Ndlovu

Date: 9/4/2013 2:07:00 AM

Really enjoyed this one, shows how beauty& fame are fleeting but words(poetry) will never fade away. -Y.L Ndlovu

Eileen Manassian
Date: 9/4/2013 8:13:00 AM

Thank you for posting, Y.L Ndlovu....Very kind and sweet of you!

Sean L Sanders

Date: 9/3/2013 3:36:00 PM

Eileen! excellent idea for a poem and well crafted poem, you answer is my answer the person in the middle might know. What ever that means. Excellent poetry poet

Eileen Manassian
Date: 9/4/2013 9:25:00 AM

Sean...thank you kindly! A bit lost with the person in the middle reference...hmmmmm...You are confused as well? HA HA! :) Thanks for bringing a smile!

Ilene Bauer

Date: 9/3/2013 3:21:00 PM

you've raised an interesting point here, eileen, but i don't think you have to worry about losing your poetic power anytime soon!

Eileen Manassian
Date: 9/4/2013 9:26:00 AM

AWWWWWWWW....you never know, Ilene....But thanks for the words of assurance, hon!

Poet Tacito

Date: 9/3/2013 1:48:00 PM

We define us. Our choices make us. Period. If we have to constantly leech off validation and force it to be our dependent, then we have lost our identity and self-worth. Good call on this writing.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 9/4/2013 9:27:00 AM

YEA!!!! You tell us, my dear! We are ALL EARS! :) I do need validation, though. I do! :( I always have...It's in my nature! Think I can change? I am getting better...I think! ;) Thanks for the visit!

Painted Hunter

Date: 9/3/2013 1:42:00 PM

Good questions, Eileen. I don't know the answers. Of course, as far as poetry goes, nobody that knows me (folks around here, anyway) will ever be able to call me a has been poet because none of them know that I write...ha. My friends here can call me a has been, though!..;) Eileen, even if it's in a small way(or large!) your poetry will live on...somewhere for somebody. I have a book of poetry weritten by my great-grandfather. I never met him, but I know him through his words.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 9/4/2013 8:09:00 AM

Oh Caleb....I haven't reached acclaim in this domain to become a HAS BEEN at any point...I did mean here...in this microcosm...on Poetry Soup! ;) Yes...Caleb...for someone perhaps my poetry will live on...SO SO comforting. Yours does too! :) If it didn't, I wouldn't bug you about getting your ......... back here! :) sweet about your g-grandpa. Thanks for this lovely post, Caleb...SO good to have you back!

Eileen Manassian

Date: 9/3/2013 1:24:00 PM

It is introspection day it seems...What defines you? What makes you who you are? Actresses and models have it tough. Their beauty and figures define them. When they age or gain weight, they are devastated and lose a sense of identity What about us as poets? What happens when people who believed in us, stop believing in us, or stop seeing beauty in what we write...A sad reality...what do we do? Lose faith in ourselves? I surely hope not...You are only a "has been" if you let yourself be one! :)