Eileen Manassian Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Songs of Ophelia

I sing the songs of childhood
A forgotten time...
Before illusive fantasies of womanhood
Before hearing of the murder of my dreams
By the hand of my lover
Who demands of me
Things I cannot give
Forcing issues of loyalty
Between people I love
And a woman’s heart rends
Behind the curtain
Hidden concern bleeds to death
Overwhelmed
By the accusations
The violent demands
The questioning eyes
Slowly going insane
Wearing my mourning gown of pain

I sing
I dance
I twirl
Ophelia’s songs
Running through my head
Flowers in my hands
I dance 
Traipsing towards….
The water’s edge
I wade in
Clothes and all
Looking for my cradle of solace
I lie back
Looking up at the azure sky
Songs of childhood
Of innocence lost
And heartaches won

A bird catches my eye
Soaring free
I stop singing
Slowly tilting my head back
The water covers my forehead
Nestles over my open eyes
Soothing me
Singing its own lullaby
A lullaby of childhood
Of happy times
Welcoming me
I push further back
And let the water 
Surge into my open mouth
Through my nostrils
I drink it in
A moment more….
And I’ll be soaring free

I cough out water
Gasping for breath
I hear noises
A young girl crying
“Mama, Mama….breathe!”
A man’s arms are around me
Holding me to the side
Patting me on the back
As I cough out more water…

Spent
I lie back
And look into the sun
Close my eyes
I open my mouth
And sing songs
Songs of my childhood
I hear the young girl cry
I hear the man sigh
I hear the people around whisper
“She’s gone mad”

I sing
I open my eyes to search the sky
For a lone bird
Flying high
Singing….singing
Ophelia’s songs
Till my day turns into night….

For Anne Currin's Suicide Contest
August 2, 2013

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Jan Allison January 2, 2016 at 11:45 AM WOW Eileen thanks for pointing me in the direction of such a powerful poem :-( hugs Jan xx

Donna Jones August 6, 2013 at 6:40 PM I was mesmerized with every word.....awesome....and congratulations.... :-) ..MD

Poet Destroyer A August 5, 2013 at 8:08 PM Eileen, congrats... xox~ Linda

Lucilla Carrillo August 3, 2013 at 7:12 PM Another good one you have here. At first I thought it was something real that had happened to you, than I saw Richard's comment. I love to read too, but have not heard of that book. Good luck in the contest..... Lucilla Eileen Manassian August 4, 2013 at 10:04 PM Thanks, Lucilla. This is post is sweet as are you! always appreciate the visits.....

Richard Lamoureux August 2, 2013 at 5:30 PM Have you read the book Reviving Ophelia? This should be manditory reading for all parents of daughters. I think you would really appreciate it. Eileen Manassian August 3, 2013 at 12:21 PM NO! Sounds fascinating. I should see if I can get my hands on a copy. Thanks for the tip! Hugs!

Richard D Seal August 2, 2013 at 3:36 PM Sad situation many find themselves in, I like how you've woven the bird into this write and the sensitivity of it. Take care, Richard Eileen Manassian August 3, 2013 at 12:22 PM I like that you like my work, Richard. Please keep on liking. You bring me lots of joy! :)

Karen Anglesey August 2, 2013 at 3:17 PM Eileen, so powerful and eloquently written...The reverberations are superb... Eileen Manassian August 3, 2013 at 12:35 PM Karen, thank you for these lovely post! It has brought me joy!

James Marshall Goff August 2, 2013 at 2:11 PM wow, Eileen....I liked the strength shown with the repetition during the 2nd. half of the poem....very cool effect....i try a bit of that too! jimbo Eileen Manassian August 3, 2013 at 12:37 PM Jimbo....what a lovely comment! Thanks ever so much! Yes....guess it's the teacher on me that thrives on repetition! ;) Thanks for the visit!

Richard Lamoureux August 2, 2013 at 1:51 PM this could have been a good one for my Girl rising contest as well. If you could enter two both would be winners. I am sure Anne will love this one. Eileen Manassian August 4, 2013 at 10:03 PM :) I can't wait...at the same time....maybe I can....No no no...I can't, I can....No no I can't.....yes, yes...I can...RICHARD! Put me out of my misery already! Don't worry....whatever you decide will be fine! THAT ISN'T TRUE! Oh dear....ok ok...I'm done! :) Richard Lamoureux August 3, 2013 at 2:41 PM I do not need to be careful, I have things under control. Four more poems to come and the judging concludes. Eileen Manassian August 3, 2013 at 12:38 PM Don't toy with me, Richard...Winners is a very very powerful word in my book! ;) Especially when it comes to a contest sponsored by YOU! Do be careful!

Poet Tacito August 2, 2013 at 1:49 PM My goodness, this was fierce. The battle of self is the most powerful of all. Eileen Manassian August 3, 2013 at 12:40 PM Yes....it surely is! Fierce is the battle for survival, Drake! It depends on how badly you want to LIVE! Hugs!