Distant Things

I think of distant things and start to cry.
Why must my heart be grieved by many miles?
To place where I was born, I will not fly,
for I don't want to lose remembered smiles.

The land which I have loved has changed, and now
it does not bear the mark of honored grace.
I must be covered, and I don't know how
to hold back tears from streaming down my face.

Where is the school? Where is the gentle stream?
With what audacity did they assume
that they could confiscate our land, our dream?
They took and now our sorrow does consume.

Where is the pool? Where are the orchards fine?
Remembered are the times we'd swim and play
We'd feast on all the fruits and feel sublime
No one to harm or take our voice away

My country now is not a place to be
For freedom is no longer part of life
Were I to go, the weight would burden me
And I would weep with thoughts of all the strife

So distant from my heart my land remains
A land that in the sacred Word is praised
My childhood memories, this land contains
It's flag of freedom in my heart is raised

For the Distant Things Contest
Sponsor: John Lawless
June 12, 2016
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016


Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 9/9/2016 1:47:00 AM
Both matter and manner of the poem prove your skill of writing, Eileen.
Login to Reply
Date: 8/21/2016 6:40:00 AM
So touched by these memories, Eileen. As you rightly say, it's best not to spoil them by going back and having to face reality. ~ Hope you are keeping well; hugs // paul
Login to Reply
Date: 7/24/2016 9:56:00 AM
Well written!
Login to Reply
Date: 7/10/2016 1:42:00 PM
This is beautiful, Eileen... very touching piece. Your memories will always remain.
Login to Reply
Date: 6/20/2016 6:14:00 AM
This is absolutely brilliant. Well done.
Login to Reply
Date: 6/20/2016 5:03:00 AM
Congrats well written good work x
Login to Reply
Date: 6/13/2016 8:48:00 AM
Congrats Eileen, for your placement in the contest with this awesome piece!! ;-)
Login to Reply
Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 6/13/2016 10:55:00 AM
Thank you, Teddy. :) Tenth placement....oh well. At least I tried. Hugs
Date: 6/13/2016 4:39:00 AM
Hello Eileen, Congratulations!! This a most excellent "IP" write in blank verse for sure. The message and obvious passion of this write are front and center for the reader. Outstanding Work!! 7/FAV absolutely!! Cheers and Best, Gary
Login to Reply
Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 6/13/2016 10:55:00 AM
I'm glad you liked it, Gary. I have not been back home since 1979....It's sad. Thanks for the visit. Hugs
Date: 6/12/2016 7:07:00 PM
Congratulations Eileen, a fine effort deserving honors...
Login to Reply
Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 6/13/2016 10:56:00 AM
Thanks, Charlie....I appreciate the visit. Hugs
Date: 6/12/2016 5:37:00 PM
yayyy, we both made it on the list!!! congrats to you, Eileen. I just hoped it would be a winner.
Login to Reply
Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 6/13/2016 10:56:00 AM
Thanks, sweetie. Just barely got in. :) Hugs
Date: 6/12/2016 5:17:00 PM
Well done Eileen. Perfect form and a heartfelt longing for home and its memories. Thank you for participating in the contest
Login to Reply
Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 6/13/2016 10:58:00 AM
Thank you, John. My childhood memories are so perfect that I would never want to go back and ruin them. It hurts that that part of my life is a closed chapter. Hugs
Date: 6/11/2016 7:14:00 PM
flawless blank verse. It's so good to see poetry of someone who understands what iambic pentameter truly means!! furthermore, the context of this poem is just so good, Eileen. I was thinking your country had more freedoms than before. Is this written for how it used to be or is now this way? Just curious. I think John is going to love this one.
Login to Reply
Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 6/13/2016 10:59:00 AM
Hi, Andrea...Thanks for visit. I can't say more about the situation of my country at present. I haven't been back hone since 1979....before the revolution. It is a beautiful country, but....I have no desire for the wonderful childhood memories to be erased by the harsh realities. Thanks for the visit.
Date: 6/11/2016 6:39:00 PM
This is moving Eileen, it is a shame that people have destroyed what once was so perfect. Hugs Rick.
Login to Reply
Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 6/13/2016 11:02:00 AM
Yes....they have taken what is not theirs to take. The compound I lived in was owned by our church and it was a little piece of paradise. We had a high wall all around the campus. My dad was the principal of the boys' school which was on campus. We had a pool and in the summer time, we'd hardly ever wear clothes. We'd be swimming all day. We had so many different fruit trees like walnut, apple, apricot, plum, cherry, mulberry...white and pink. It was divine. Honestly...It would snow in the winter time...my brothers would jump of the roof into the snow. It was magical...My heart aches.
Date: 6/11/2016 5:07:00 PM
This is so sad, Eileen. You did a wonderful job of expressing your pain through your words. God Bless! Love, Kim
Login to Reply
Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 6/13/2016 11:03:00 AM
Thanks, dear. Sometimes it is good to give voice the feelings that lay dormant. I'm blessed by your visit. Hugs
Date: 6/11/2016 12:19:00 PM
You will always have such precious memories of you homeland Eileen - such a heartbreaking scenario. Thankfully many of have never had to experience what you and your country have been though :-) hugs Jan xx7
Login to Reply
Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 6/11/2016 12:23:00 PM
Thank you, sweetie. I'm glad that this poem touched your heart. This could apply to both places that are part of my heritage. I cannot write more...I only hope others don't have an ache in their hearts for places they can no longer go.....Hugs
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter