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God, Help My People

War…the stench of death How long? How long will it fill our nostrils? How long will the mothers cry And babies die? How many times will our young men Be snatched away? Their future riddled with shrapnel Jagged metal pieces that ricochet Into the hearts of those around Tearing into dreams, and hopes Gouging out promises of a better life A future How long….how long will the sound of war Fill our ears with horror? How long must we cower As the powers that be Play chess with our lives A game in which THERE ARE NO WINNERS! WE DEMAND THE RIGHT TO LIVE! OUR LIVES ARE JUST AS PRECIOUS There is no First World Second World Third World price tags on human life “I thought we all were children of GOD.” ONE GOD ONE!!! The ravages of war live on We are never the same Walking wounded With ugly scars that you see And those that you can’t see Are even more horrific As they mark our marred minds Showing we are insane In constant pain There is no gain From WAR Give us peace! Give us a chance to live! Like you…. We were made to be free, happy, fulfilled We want to dream We want to worship We want to see tomorrow Help us.... “I thought we all were, children of God.” Eileen Manassian Ghali The situation in the Middle East is volatile at the moment. Perhaps that is why the words of this song from Disney’s Hunch Back of Notre Dame, God Help the Outcasts, has been running around in my head all day. It depicts SO well my feelings towards the situation now. The sentences in quotation marks and the title are direct quotes from the song. Here is the link…LISTEN TO IT…and remember your BROTHERS AND SISTERS in the MIDDLE EAST who are not sure if tomorrow will dawn for them! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEEpavnk7Uw

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Honestly J.T.

Date: 9/1/2013 6:55:00 PM

I am very much aware of the present condition in Lebanon. Powerful words

Eileen Manassian
Date: 9/1/2013 10:36:00 PM

Thanks, Justice...It weighs heavily on our minds....I'm tired of the worry about it....

Lucilla Carrillo

Date: 9/1/2013 10:32:00 AM

This brings tears to my eyes. We are all suppose to be created equal and we are all suppose to be children of GOD - so why are we going through all this? I sand you a big hug with a prayer for peace. Thanks for sharing.... Lucilla

Eileen Manassian
Date: 9/1/2013 11:02:00 AM

I don't know why, Lucilla....Why? Because we have only our interests at heart, because it is a world of survival of the fittest...because...because of sin! Yes...because of sin! How are you, my dear. Hope all is well...Thank you for the hugs and prayers...BLESS YOU!

Richard D Seal

Date: 8/31/2013 5:22:00 PM

One of your best ever Eileen, hugs and hope. Take care, Richard. wow the code to this comment is pyar

Eileen Manassian
Date: 9/1/2013 10:54:00 AM

Richard...thank you! I've lived through the war...It's not easy... :( Celebrations go on here all the time...Fireworks...now, we stop and wonder...Is that a bomb? What was that noise? I don't believe it will happen..How? How can it happen...AGAIN! We need peace. Thanks for the visit! THE CODE? SWEET!

Charmaine Chircop

Date: 8/31/2013 3:09:00 PM

Here is a big hug my dear and lots of prayer...Heartfelt emotions.The cry for peace..If only the world could listen..

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/31/2013 3:20:00 PM

I can always use hugs, Charmaine...God bless you! The cry for peace, it seems, will not be heard... :(

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 8/31/2013 11:44:00 AM

Dear Eileen, a masterpiece of writing but most of all it is the truth! Unfortunately if one has not been through the horrors of war can not understand the absolute terror of it! The people of Middle East have been put through hell many times, your country included! Now I pray the war not to come again so innocent people could be spared! God be with you and your people! Superb 7!

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/31/2013 3:19:00 PM

Thank you, my dear poet. I appreciate the visit, the prayers, and the solidarity! May God bless you for this....

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 8/31/2013 10:32:00 AM

Eileen, powerful..... you have the voice many of us are not brave to express when it comes to writing... wish Life was peaceful... xox~ Linda

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/31/2013 3:18:00 PM

Thanks, my dear....I wish it were too! :( Seems like the air strikes against Syria are going to go ahead....I'm devastated.....I appreciate your kind comment, Linda! Sending you lots of hugs!

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/31/2013 7:27:00 AM

Amen! I just finished reading Arthur's poem so I have been doubly impacted. These are powerful emotions.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/31/2013 9:16:00 AM

Yes, we are afraid.....nervous....tense....worried...

Jack Ellison

Date: 8/31/2013 6:28:00 AM

I am so touched by your plea for the people of the Middle East. We hear constantly of the senseless death and destruction... it is beyond comprehension! Our hearts are with you... stay safe! Warm hugs my dear Eileen. xoxoxox

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/31/2013 9:17:00 AM

Thanks, Jack.....Safety is sometimes just a matter of luck...where you are at what time of the day. May God bring a resolution to this strife. Hugs

Ken Carroll

Date: 8/30/2013 9:36:00 PM

Hi Eileen, I enjoyed this write as war is truly hell on earth..My prayers goes out to the people caught up in a war zone of turmoil..It's a shame wars are often fought in the name of God.... Regards, Ken

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/31/2013 9:18:00 AM

YES, Ken...that is the biggest dishonor to His name, for He is a God of love and peace. Thank you for this thoughtful post....

Arthur Vaso

Date: 8/30/2013 4:27:00 PM

Powerful and expressive, I wrote on the same topic, and smiled when I saw we both had the line about "boukra" I prey things will not get worse.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/31/2013 9:21:00 AM

Yes, Arthur...we are tired of war and strife.....Enshallah BOUKRA will be better than today! GOD WILLING....

Kim Merryman

Date: 8/30/2013 1:10:00 PM

Eileen, my heart goes out to you in this fearful time. Your poem is so intense and reflects the turmoil around you. An excellent write about a terrible situation. I will be praying! Love, Kim

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/31/2013 9:26:00 AM

Oh Kim...I remember having to run down the stairs of our high school building while hoping that we would get to the shelter in time...Then, when you would drive about when you HAD to, you just hoped that you wouldn't be the target of a sniper....I almost lost my sanity...I can't go through another war...I just can't...May it not come to that. Thank you for your love and concern....

Poet Tacito

Date: 8/30/2013 12:09:00 PM

My deepest prayers & wishes to you, your family, & a better, more peaceful tomorrow...

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/31/2013 9:27:00 AM

OH DRAKE...Thank you....May your prayers be answered!

Donna Jones

Date: 8/30/2013 11:57:00 AM

Sweet Eileen.......hugs to where you are until I can reach you.....MD

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/31/2013 9:27:00 AM

YOU HAVE REACHED ME, MD...I feel your arms of safety around me....LOVE YOU!

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 8/30/2013 11:41:00 AM

Wooow .... strange ... share your and I thought today ??? - Very well written Eileen! - Peace on earth!!!! - oxox // Anne-Lise :)

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/30/2013 4:31:00 PM

Yes, I noticed that, my dear. It is something on many minds, especially here...We are uneasy. My brother and family were here tonight. The kids are supposed to start school next week and already the Principal has said that they will be monitoring the situation closely and will inform the parents of any changes in school dates. :( Hope it doesn't get to that place!!!

Sara Kendrick

Date: 8/30/2013 11:17:00 AM

Yes, war is terrible..We all dread hearing that there might be another with bloodshed..Great work about the topic..Sara..Thanks for the visit to my work..My sister-in-law could laugh about the situation after awhile but when it first happened it was not funny to her or her family..Sara

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/30/2013 11:20:00 AM

ooooops! So sorry, Sara. The comment was for Frank! Yes, I hope that something can be done to avoid an all out war! Sometimes funny things happen to u that are horrific at the time, but they give us something to chuckle over in later years. That's not so bad! Hugs! :)

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/30/2013 11:18:00 AM

I have it easy, Frank. I haven't lost a loved one to war. My brother and sister-in-law were wounded in the bomb blast that killed the Prime Minister of Lebanon years ago, and they still carry scars. :( There is an influx of Syrian refugees into Lebanon, and I'm glad my church has a program in place to help provide some comfort. Everyone is tense. We can't live through another war, Frank., it's just too hard! Thanks for the post and for understanding!