Eileen Manassian Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

Persian and Proud

I'm proud to be a Persian, there's no doubt
though some may look at me with veiled disdain
To honored heritage, I give a shout,
and here I bare my love in words made plain

When Cyrus captured Babylon's strong hold
The greatest in the world this man became
"Anointed One", in scriptures, name so bold
Religious freedom reigned; he banished shame

And through the years this country has survived
Though some have sought to crush it to the ground
its music, lore, and culture only thrived!
The wonders of my country still astound

Rich flavors mix in scrumptious Persian food
and saffron beautifies the long grained rice
Delicacies await each interlude
Desserts so decadent beg one more slice!

My heart just thrills when Farsi greets my ear
A language soft, melodious and sweet
When set to music, all the world must hear
Indulgent rhyming words, a lover's treat

You claim to know Hafez and love Rumi
“A Thousand and one Nights”: a splendid tale!
Well then, my dearest friend, listen to me,
for these great writers from this country hail

Armenian Persian is my ancestry
My childhood in Iran, a glorious time!
Leave prejudices out of poetry
My Persian pride will live on in this rhyme!

Eileen Manassian

Cyrus the Great is mentioned in the Bible:
Isaiah 45:1-13

"This says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whom I have seized by the right, to subdue nations before him." He was known to be benevolent and to give those he conquered the right to worship as they wished. Also, the Jews were given the opportunity to rebuild the temple during the reign of another Persian king, Artaxerxes. 

I thought I would just give a footnote so that the reader will understand the references in the poem. We all have to be proud of our heritage. I haven't been back to my country since I was 11 due to various reasons, but...the memories I have will always warm my heart.

Poetic forms like the Rubaiyat and Ghazal are Persian forms, along with the Mathnawi. Persia is famous for its carpets, cats, and caviar...the three C's...along with so much more. Of course, my daughter's name, SHEREEN is Farsi and it means...SWEET. :)

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

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

Paige Hind August 7, 2024 at 2:53 PM Persia is so cool, <3 I admire you!

Chantel William April 14, 2023 at 9:56 AM Contact Mr: Steven William if you want to be a member of illuminati and become rich and famous and wealthy his email is [email protected] you will never regret being a member is free .

Barbara Barry-Nishanian June 8, 2018 at 12:58 PM July morning mentioned a brother hood that expands global boundaries, Imagine loving everyone as a brother. Free to enjoy their glorious differences without nations and religions prejudices. God and his son are not partial. Those men's words, do not reflect their creator. Only one religion has beat their swords into tools of peace and will not fight in any of this worlds wars. July Morning identified this peace loving people of all nations,. Glad I met you.

Pat Adams January 29, 2018 at 5:43 PM Great write and a wonderful tribute. You represent you heritage well. Proof there are beautiful minds everywhere!...7....pat Eileen Manassian January 29, 2018 at 9:46 PM Thank you, Pat. Much appreciated. Yes, there is beauty in every culture and people group.

Richard D Seal December 25, 2017 at 7:33 PM Hello my little Desert Orchid, wishing you and all your family a merry Christmas, take care, Richard Eileen Manassian December 26, 2017 at 5:06 PM Greetings, Mr Richard D Seal. Thank you for your kind wishes. I wish you and yours the same. I'm here visiting my daughter in Hungary and will spend new year with family on Frankfurt. I'm glad. I was very ill before the trip and almost cancelled. God is good. All is well now

Rhoda Tripp December 18, 2017 at 12:44 PM Very beautiful write and a wonderful tribute to Persians. Love you and your Persian felines :)

Silent One December 13, 2017 at 10:15 AM Always be proud of your heritage... Persian food is also great and of course Rumi was Persian and he was a great poet... Eileen Manassian December 13, 2017 at 1:53 PM Yes, indeed. I am proud of my heritage. Though Persians don't consider me one of them fully due to my Armenian background, I still am proud of the part this culture played in making me who I am. I'm not fully claimed by the Armenians, nor Persians, nor Lebanese, nor Cypriots, nor Americans...I'm a bit of everything. That gives beautiful to my world view...and my love of languages.

Paul Callus December 11, 2017 at 3:04 PM What a beautiful poem, Eileen! This is a topic close to your heart, and it shows in your words. You have every right to be proud of your heritage. Hugs // paul Eileen Manassian December 11, 2017 at 9:05 PM I've enjoyed my time in the States and have some wonderful American friends. I love every country that has shaped me into who I am, but I will call people out things that aren't truthful....or mean. It's all I can do... Eileen Manassian December 11, 2017 at 9:03 PM Thank you, Paul. I get upset when people look at countries and misjudge the people. When I was in the States, and people knew I had come from Lebanon, they would ask some pretty interesting questions. They can even be hurtful at times. I remember being teased with this: "what do you call a girl who has had one leg blown off in a bomb blast.".....Eileen, see (I Lean). Cruel, yes? As for Iran...well, I won't mention what the western world thinks. I'm proud of my heritage...mixed as it may be. It's all about propaganda and what you've been fed by the news. :) Hugs, dear.

Pashang Salehi December 11, 2017 at 12:18 PM I'm proud to be Persian as well...What do I write? only Rubai, Masnavi and Ghazal both in Farsi and English. My days start with Rumi or Hafez sometimes both. My son's name is Arjang (the book/house of Persian Prophet Mani). Pashang Salehi December 18, 2017 at 1:09 PM Hi Eileen, I live in United States for almost 40 years. I came to this country when I was 23 years old now I'm 63. Retired chemistry teacher. The more I Stay away from Iran, the more Persian I become. If you can read Farsi, I have written 6 books, all in poetry, all ghazal and masnavi, I will send you the link. Armenian or Muslim or atheist were all Persian. Love you Eileen Manassian December 11, 2017 at 8:58 PM I've lived in Cyprus more than any other country including Lebanon and the States and Iran. I have Cypriot nationality and speak Greek so that language also tugs at my heart. I'm a strange mix, dear Pashang, but I stand up for the country that I was born in and grew up in till the age of 10. I LOVE the language and speak it when I have opportunity. :) Eileen Manassian December 11, 2017 at 8:56 PM Yes, dear. I do know that you are Persian. Che Khoob! :) Unfortunately, I have been in no man's land with my heritage. The Armenians have never fully accepted me because I'm mixed. Persians who know I'm Armenian consider me not fully Persian. The western influences in my life make me at times seem strange to Middle Easterners, and the Middle Eastern influences make the people from the Middle East to consider me "westernized". As you can see...my need for belonging is strong.

Tim Smith December 11, 2017 at 9:54 AM Beautiful just like your heart Eileen Manassian December 11, 2017 at 10:05 AM Thanks, Tim. Very sweet of you. :) It's been a long and weary day. I need comments like these to keep me going long into the night of preparation for University. Blessings.

Richard Lamoureux December 11, 2017 at 9:31 AM You have much to be proud of Eileen. Thanks for sharing this gem. Hugs Rick. Eileen Manassian December 11, 2017 at 10:07 AM Politics has always been....warped, Richard. We see what we want to see. We're fed the rhetoric of our governments. However, there is beauty in every land and people. Being an Iranian hasn't always been easy....especially when visiting the US. I feel the difference now that I have a European passport, but I'm the same person inside. :) Hugs

J. I. Thomas F. December 10, 2017 at 6:38 PM A better side of pride than I wrote of :) Eileen Manassian December 10, 2017 at 10:53 PM Thank you for the visit. I have often been discriminated against. It's sad how we label people when our souls are all the same. I'm proud of my varied ethic mix.

Jan Allison December 10, 2017 at 6:02 PM Your pride shines out from every line Eileen :-) hugs Jan xx Eileen Manassian December 10, 2017 at 10:54 PM Thanks, sweetie. :) Enjoy your visits...always.

Ilene Bauer December 10, 2017 at 5:17 PM this is wonderful, eileen! i think we should all be proud of our heritage, no matter what other people may say. your pride comes through very powerfully and poetically and i especially love the final verse (and i love persian food as well!) Eileen Manassian December 10, 2017 at 10:55 PM My sentiments exactly, dear Ilene. The one who doesn't claim his heritage dishonors himself. :) Hugs, dear. Glad you like Persian food.