Home » Poems » Eileen Manassian » My Identity

My Identity

You Armenians who question my identity...
Who whisper behind my back and smirk
Considering me a half breed
Not pure
The child of a mixed marriage
 
You who refuse to speak to me
In your mother tongue
Because my words falter
And my accent is disgraceful
 
You who turn your back on me
Unwilling to ratify
My identity
Unable to include me
In your inner circle
Of the chosen purebreds
 
Be ashamed!!!
Yes, be ashamed and hang your heads
My identity is not based
On the language I speak
Nor the knowledge I know
Nor my appearance
Or customs I follow

Slash my wrists
Slash them both and see…
Let the blood flow
And mingle with the red 
Of the blood of the martyrs
Splashed on the Armenian flag
See also the orange in my blood
Reflecting the color of the fertile land
That brings forth the nourishing wheat
See also the magnificent blue of my veins
Matching the blue of the flag
The color of the pure sky
That looks down and smiles
And blesses my beloved country
My motherland……
Armenia!

For Nathan A's Contest

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Timothy Hicks

Date: 5/15/2013 11:00:00 PM

There was so much wonderful passion in that last stanza. Is there a lot of racism over where you live? I am deeply sorry you get ridiculed so much... I have heard Idaho is a very racist state (though the people are very secretive in their prejudices and don't express it openly). Good for you for speaking out... but no doubt it must be painful.

Therese Bacha

Date: 5/15/2013 8:46:00 AM

Whoa Eileen, I am so sorry you are suffering that much. Be proud yourself of who you are, and try not to be affected by anyone. Life is to short to be sad and in pain. Live in the Now, and happiness will reflect on your everyday. Remember you are beautiful and life is beautiful. Love Terry xoxo

Richard D Seal

Date: 5/14/2013 5:18:00 PM

A very passionate and spirited write Eileen. Can never understand how people cannot see the difference between nationality and ethnicity, you would think by now this would be common knowledge, is sad really oooo we can't use the word sad, let's say disconsulate, still living in the past too much I think.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 5/15/2013 5:55:00 AM

Do you think so, my dear? I'm living too much in the past? Well, until the wrongs of the past are righted, I have no choice. I think I cling to this so much, because it grounds me. I was never really accepted in my group of the countries I've lived in. Always a foreigner. It isn't easy, Richard. You know...the need to belong and Maslow and all that. Citizen of heaven should be the most important of all, n'est pas?

Harry Horsman

Date: 5/14/2013 2:13:00 PM

to have pride in one's heritage is indeed very special, you write this poem with a passion, one in which i for one admire your stance in what you believe.... also the poem is very well written.......and a joy to read...

Eileen Manassian
Date: 5/15/2013 5:53:00 AM

HARRY!!!! Glad to have you back, my dear. I've missed your visits! Thanks for your kind words. Yes, I come from a very varied background, but I am Armenian by race though I don't speak the language well. Thanks for your vote of confidence!

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 5/14/2013 3:15:00 AM

- Hooray for Armenia and Eileen! - A enjoyable poem - have to win the the contest, good luck my friend. - oxox / / Anne-Lise :)

Eileen Manassian
Date: 5/14/2013 3:18:00 AM

Plus....I lived in Cyprus for 17 years, so I have the love of the Greek language, but...in essence...I am Armenian! This is my ethnic background. That is why I fight for the cause of the Armenian Genocide! Visited Armenian two summers ago...and I fell in love! :) Hugs my dear!

Eileen Manassian
Date: 5/14/2013 3:16:00 AM

Hi Sweetie! This wasn't about America....I went to the States a couple of months AFTER I was born. No...this is about Armenia! My father is Armenian and my mother was half Armenian, half Arab. We weren't accepted as Armenians OR as Arabs. To complicate matters...we spoke English at home, because Mom and Dad couldn't communicate in any shared language other than that. Mixed up background.