Eileen Manassian Poet Free verse

How Many Ways

How many ways can a heart break?
When do the cracks first appear?
How soundless is the first hairline fracture?
It starts to spread
Almost unnoticed
Imperceptible
Except for a little discomfort
A little doubt
A little sadness

Unsure why or how
But….a little pain begins to develop...
A forgotten smile
A withheld word
An embrace that ends a little too soon
A kiss a little less fiery than before
A look that no longer devours 
A caress that no longer ignites
A time that is no longer shared
A silence that is not companionable
A dream that is dreamt alone

The break widens
The pain deepens
And no amount of denial
Will alter the awful truth
That your heart is breaking..
And now you can hear the sounds
Of the walls crumbling
And the pieces falling
And you’re left to wonder...

How many ways can a heart break?
Where have all the pieces gone?
When did the first sign appear?
How can you carry on?

Eileen Manassian Ghali

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Carol Eastman November 15, 2013 at 10:57 AM Brilliantly written. No wonder, Jack talks so well of your poetry. It was so well done. Couldn't have ask for more.

Charmaine Chircop November 13, 2013 at 3:46 PM You misted my eyes sweet lady..Just remember for every thorn there is a rose..You touched my heart dear..A heart can break so many times and heals just as much .big hug

Poet Tacito November 13, 2013 at 9:38 AM Too much to say on this. But, I can say that sometimes one must love another strong enough to let them go to attain peace again. Excellent job. Eileen Manassian November 13, 2013 at 3:48 PM Hmmmmmmmmmm.........got to start gaming then. I'm totally hopeless! ;) Poet Tacito November 13, 2013 at 2:57 PM Ha. Thank you. Gaming is my counseling. ;-) Eileen Manassian November 13, 2013 at 11:13 AM Drake, as always...I"m floored by your insight. Really, forget gaming...become a counselor or a psychologist. You'd do so well! :)

Richard Lamoureux November 13, 2013 at 7:43 AM Good morning Eileen. Eileen Manassian November 13, 2013 at 9:18 AM I wish you the most beautiful of days, Richard. You deserve it! :)

Vicky Tsiluma November 13, 2013 at 12:16 AM Whoa! You've actually detailed the beginning of a heartbreak - that vision of the hairline fracture is quite vivid. 'How many ways?' - I'm not sure...something to think about. Very well written Eileen! Eileen Manassian November 13, 2013 at 9:21 AM Vicky....good to have you here at my page again! Welcome. Thanks for the encouraging post ;)

Jon A Cavanaugh November 12, 2013 at 11:16 PM Excellent write. You have done a masterful job of painting a picture of a heart being broken ever so slowly one hairline fracture at a time. This is a magnificent poem. Eileen Manassian November 13, 2013 at 11:07 AM Thanks ever so much, Jon. Heartache is hard to deal with. We all go through it at some point or another. Part of being human. Thanks for the visit and your kind words.

Carl Fraser November 12, 2013 at 5:22 PM Hi Eileen, gee you really nailed this one, ive felt everyrhing you wrote almost as if you saw my heart and wrote about it. Im floored. Blessings Carl Eileen Manassian November 13, 2013 at 11:10 AM We all go through this at some point in our lives, Carl. It is a universal feeling. However, it's up to us to pick the pieces up and go on. The heart is resilient and can mend. Thanks for the post. :)

Ken Carroll November 12, 2013 at 11:53 AM Hi Eileen, A most sensual and heartfelt write from you.. Ken Eileen Manassian November 13, 2013 at 11:11 AM Thanks Ken. Your visit is appreciated! :)

Richard Lamoureux November 12, 2013 at 10:37 AM Wow! You have a lot of poems in the top 100. Congratulations, it's nice to see you being appreciated. Eileen Manassian November 13, 2013 at 11:12 AM WOW, Richard. Thanks for noticing. Thanks for encouraging. Thanks for mentoring. You've always been there for me in my struggle to perfect my writes. I appreciate it.

Ilene Bauer November 12, 2013 at 10:18 AM brilliant! love it! Eileen Manassian November 13, 2013 at 11:14 AM Oh Ilene!!! Aren't you absolutely SWEET! :)

Richard Lamoureux November 12, 2013 at 10:06 AM I wrote a terzanelle this morning. It's funny that you just commented about the form just as I finished writing it. Eileen Manassian November 13, 2013 at 9:23 AM Great minds!!! ;)

Richard Lamoureux November 12, 2013 at 9:00 AM I can see this poem being turned into a song. It was a treat this morning getting to read so many poems. You are on a roll Eileen. Hugs Rick. Eileen Manassian November 13, 2013 at 9:18 AM WOW......You always "see" the best, Richard. That is one of the things that I love about you. Thank you for this praise...Glad you enjoy my work!

Jack Ellison November 12, 2013 at 7:54 AM A great write but oh so sad, my dearest Eileen! Big squeezie hugs, Kenny xoxoxox Eileen Manassian November 13, 2013 at 9:17 AM Don't worry, sweetie...I'm fine. Just a good write at the time. No worries. Thanks ever so much for passing this way. Hugs

Demetrios Trifiatis November 12, 2013 at 7:40 AM How many ways can a heart break? It depends on how delicate it is! If a smile is not the smile expected, if a glance is not the one desired, if the intonation of " I love you" is not the right one, the heart is broken -shattered-dispersed! Great work but the heart has a myriad reasons to break and only one to stay unbreakable: True, unconditional love! Eileen Manassian November 13, 2013 at 9:16 AM Demetri mou...Ekeis dikios. Esai exsipnos. Orai afto pou egrapses gia mene. Efkharisto!!! Thank you for your lovely post. So true...So true. Filakia.