Home » Poems » Eileen Manassian » The Body Shame Game

The Body Shame Game

This poem has already been posted on Poetry Soup. Here is the link: http://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/the_body_shame_game_768282 It has 2,433 views, so I guess it's an issue that is important these days. You will understand my feelings about this issue once you see the video. Body positivity is something I am very committed to and outspoken about. Hope you enjoy it.

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Bl Devnath

Date: 6/3/2017 3:12:00 PM

Excellently done my dear lovely friend. Enjoyed this beautiful poem along with your beautiful voice. Loved always, bl

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 11/2/2016 11:32:00 PM

Wow, you have a lot of hits on this one. Well deserved result. Hugs Rick.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 9/24/2016 12:29:00 PM

Such an important message. I enjoyed listening to it again.

Michael Ainsley

Date: 8/23/2016 2:12:00 PM

To the beautiful heart of this Lady your body is a joy to behold,and your beauty is so much more than skin deep.Reality holds so much love and comfort for those of us who know this.I am a transgender woman that faces others evil eye every day.But my happiness dose not depend on the approval others. Live well! Your friend Thalia,Who was none as Michael once.God bless.

Paul Callus

Date: 8/21/2016 7:05:00 AM

I'm glad you reposted this slam poem, Eileen. I read it the first time you posted it and I knew it would attract people's attention. It's a pity that I still have not got sound on my computer...have been too busy to see to it. Will be back to listen to your videos when it gets fixed:) Hugs // paul

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/14/2016 10:13:00 AM

Yes, we STILL have the right to feel sexy and beautiful!! Any woman at any size! Wow, you are getting a lot of views. That is fantastic. Oh, Eileen, you have invented a new Slam style, done to soft music!! sure enjoyed this.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/15/2016 1:59:00 AM

Thanks, dear. :) I don't get to choose the music. My student does all that. I just read the poems. I have a few mistakes on there, but as we record about six a day...I'm not going to be picky. Thanks for the visit. hugs

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 8/12/2016 12:23:00 PM

- An important topic, and a great poem Eileen - Flowers come in many sizes :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/15/2016 1:59:00 AM

Thank you for that comment about the flowers. Yes. If we were all the same shape and size....life would be boring. I am, however, trying to lose weight. :) Hugs

Laura Leiser

Date: 8/5/2016 7:52:00 PM

Very cool, Eileen! Great to see you and to enjoy hearing you read your great poetry with a great message to appreciate the body God has given us! Hugs from Laura :)

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/15/2016 2:00:00 AM

Thanks, dear Laura. Hope the language wasn't off putting. Being as it's slam poetry...I did take some liberties. You are very kind to post and encourage me. God bless, dear. Hugs

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/5/2016 7:51:00 AM

Have fun and travel safe. Enjoy your time with family.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/15/2016 2:03:00 AM

Thanks, dear. We are enjoying our daughter's presence. We miss her so much when she's away. Hugs

Casarah Nance

Date: 8/4/2016 6:56:00 AM

You have so many lines in your poetry that sticks out, that gets the message out, "big booty bullies" "manufacture hate" trying to remember them all while I am writing this comment is a bit hard to do, lol, but watching you I'm applauding your slam, your words. Very well done as always beautiful :)

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/15/2016 2:04:00 AM

:) You are kind and sweet to me, dear. Thanks ever so much! I'm glad you enjoyed this piece. It took a lot out of me to video tape it, but....It's all for the good. Hugs

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/3/2016 7:04:00 PM

This is well presented. As I have said before you are beautiful! 7! My poem "Big Girls Do Cry" deals with this important topic. Maybe one day you can record it on video. Hugs Rick.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/4/2016 5:54:00 AM

Yes.....thank you. You have told me that. I appreciate it, Richard. I'm at the airport....on my way to Cyprus. Hubby and daughter are shopping. I'll get on from there and visit. Wish me a good time. I have made mention of you and read one of your poems already. I'll do that one....will tell you when. Hugs

Alexis Y.

Date: 8/3/2016 5:04:00 PM

Hi Eileen, You my friend are a very inspirational woman. Many woman can relate to your words. I have struggled with weight all my life. Even as a child I've been never what you call skinny. With the abuse I suffered as a child and my weight issues my self esteem was very low. Thank God I discovered my self worth. I have set for sure but I manage to find my way back because I'm my biggest fan.Thanks for sharing: -) Alexis

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/4/2016 1:07:00 AM

Alexis...thanks ever so much for your kind words. I'm so happy that you have been able to regain your sense of worth. Thank God for that. I still struggle at times. It helps to have supportive people who boost your self-esteem, but ultimately...self love must come from within. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs

Caycay Jennings

Date: 8/3/2016 4:31:00 PM

(3rd - begin from bottom) I am not bothered because I know I am a type, we are all a type desired by admirers. AGAIN, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. No one would pick the same flower as their favorite in a garden, right? As long as one is comfortable in their skin, that is when acceptance begins. Be comfortable, be confident for yourself, as a beautiful, unique, woman whom God has made. Hugs, divine cuddly ones ... CayCay

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/3/2016 4:44:00 PM

Divine Cuddly ones sound amazing, dear. I did have my daughter listen to the video because I wanted to make sure that it doesn't come off as being offensive to those who are thin. It came out of grief over the comments I'd read on Tess Holliday's instagram posts. People can be so mean...so I was sort of lashing out at that. Also...ultra thin can be as unhealthy as ultra fat. Your comments are beautiful dear. Petite is beautiful. My niece is petite and very attractive.

Caycay Jennings

Date: 8/3/2016 4:25:00 PM

I am a small woman, quite petite and I have been picked on by many in my life because of it, how I look like a boy from behind, could remove my breasts with Clearasil, must have a hard time even getting wet in the shower, if I tucked my hair in a hat and walked topless on a beach no one would know I was a woman, on and on, I have heard the insults. BUT, other than thinking the sayers ignorant,

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/3/2016 4:48:00 PM

Your sense of humor is beautiful, CayCay....I also use it regarding my weight. However, I do have a good cry now and again, but you are right....we are all a certain type and every type is appreciated by someone. Thanks ever so much for your words of wisdom, dear. I will try to be brave and strong as well. Hugs

Caycay Jennings

Date: 8/3/2016 4:23:00 PM

Huh? What, why, how did this video gig manifest itself? I know my comments are not going to fit into this box. First, you have an engaging, beautiful speaking voice - I detected little to no accent. Second, and I 100% know this - beauty is in the eye of the beholder, always has been, always will be. Third, anyone who has ever read your poetry knows how sensual you are, no question and, last, but not least:

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/3/2016 4:54:00 PM

Love your 1, 2, 3s....thanks, dear one. You have lifted my spirit. :) I try to stay positive, but a lot of my depression is centered on my love self esteem due to my weight. I'm trying to be better. Thank you for caring and commenting. Hugs

Nette Onclaud

Date: 8/3/2016 3:01:00 PM

ohh, sexiness is an inner thing.. look at queen latifah; i love her and your piece is full of woman power... slam it, eileen!... purple looks good on you!...take a twirl!.. huggs

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/3/2016 4:41:00 PM

Yes, Queen Latifah is a hot cookie! :) Thanks, Nette. Being my FB friend, you know that I'm starting on a exercise program. I hope I can stick to it. Hopefully some videos down along the line...there will be some noticeable change. Hugs and thanks.

Charmaine Chircop

Date: 8/3/2016 2:16:00 PM

I do receive an email from youtube each time you have a poem there..but I love re-listening .A powerful message..that needed to be heard..especially by those who are influenced by wrong media messages ..that you have to be transperent to look beautiful...Awesome.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/3/2016 4:40:00 PM

Hello, sweetie. Thanks ever so much for being such a supportive friend. I played your audio last night to the family and my daughter was enthralled by your voice. It is so beautiful...so melodious. I don't know if I posted a comment or not on it, but the family did listen in last night. Thanks for your presence in my life, Charmaine. I'll never forget the warmth of your smile in beautiful Malta. HUGS

Charmaine Chircop
Date: 8/3/2016 2:17:00 PM

And dear Eileen..You are a beauty..I saw you face to face...So never forget that.

Richard D Seal

Date: 8/3/2016 2:02:00 PM

Well, I was going to soup you to find out where you've been but obs you been busy doing more videos. You do a great job with these my little Desert Orchid. I've seen this lady in the news she is indeed beautiful. Take care, Richard

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/3/2016 4:38:00 PM

Freudian slip??? MESSED YOU? ;) That was...Missed you! HA HA!

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/3/2016 4:37:00 PM

You don't know how good it is to see you here at my page, Mr Seal....It's been way too long, and I have messed you. Thanks for the compliment on the video. Ahhhh...the smile belies much, Mr Seal. This is the heaviest I've ever been. Meds for an underactive thyroid and happy pills that make you put on weight have also been things I need to deal with. :( I've never been a skinny girl, but I do need to reduce some of those rolls. In the meantime....I should be able to love the person that I am. I'm trying. Hugs...and thanks for the visit.

Becca Teagan

Date: 8/3/2016 12:09:00 PM

Eileen this is so amazing. I love the message. My 18 year old daughter struggles with her weight too, and she was in the room when I played this, and I'm so happy she heard it. I recently read where Playboy Playmate Dani Mathers, sent a snapchat body-shamming a lady at the gym... I was happy to see the comments that condemned her doing that, and that she's being investigated. Anyway, I'm thankful for people like you aren't afraid to speak out about this. Well done. Hugs

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/3/2016 4:33:00 PM

Jan....I'm sorry your comment got deleted. I was trying to deleted I comment I had made to Becca that got up in Charmaine's box...UGH! Anyway, I just want to thank you for your lovely comment here. I'm so grateful. It's really hard for me to come to grips with who I am now. I know I can never be thin....ever. I never was....but I do need to shed the excess baggage. It would be so great if people were as supportive as you are. Hugs, dear one.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/3/2016 4:27:00 PM

Thanks, Becca. So good to have you come by. I did read about Dani Mathers and what she did. It really infuriated me. That's why I don't go to the gym. Making fun of a fat person at the gym is like making fun of a sick person at the hospital. We invested in a really good Reebok treadmill, and it was set up in our TV room yesterday. I did some 25 minutes. I play to use it daily. I hope I can lose some of the weight. I've never been thin...but I have been what others called "hot" in my day. ;) Learning to love this me isn't easy. Thanks for passing by. Perhaps your daughter can follow up on Ashley Graham. She's superb and her message of self acceptance is powerful. Hugs

Jan Allison

Date: 8/3/2016 11:27:00 AM

Amazing video and poem Eileen - you send out such an important message especially to youngster who I have seen anorexic even at the tender age of 11. You my friend are beautiful and you must embrace your curvaceous shpae Eileen - many women would be jealous of you!:-) hugs Jan xx

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/3/2016 4:33:00 PM

Tim Smith

Date: 8/3/2016 10:43:00 AM

I remember that post...I'm heading over to re-read it. I think people should be more concerned with improving their hearts.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/3/2016 4:34:00 PM

You are always supportive and kind, Tim. Bless you for it. I really appreciate the kindness. :)

Tim Smith
Date: 8/3/2016 10:44:00 AM

never mind I see you have the video posted : )