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The Other Woman

I grieve the woman that I used to be
The one who did not know duplicity
Who thought that friends would have a constancy
I grieve the other woman that was me

I grieve the woman that I used to be
The one who looked at life with childlike glee
Whose heart of love made her a devotee
I grieve the other woman that was me

I grieve the woman that I used to be
Who thought her claim to fame was poetry
Who met each morning with expectancy
I grieve the other woman that was me

I grieve the woman that I used to be
Who thought that justice meant democracy
Who spoke for women's rights with fervancy
I grieve the other woman that was me

I grieve the woman that I used to be
Who saw a rosy hued reality
Who gave romantic love supremacy 
I grieve the other woman that was me

I grieve the woman that I used to be
Who spoke her truth with proud audacity
Who trusted people's common decency
I grieve the other woman that was me

I grieve the woman that I used to be
Who would not tolerate complacency
Who thought a dream deferred was lunacy
I grieve the woman that I used to be

Alas, that other woman is not free
The world has chained her, crushed her vibrancy
Her words no longer carry potency
She's almost dead, that woman that was me. 

Eileen Manassian
August 28, 2025

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Krishika Upadhyay Date: 9/15/2025 8:20:00 PM This is poignant and powerful. The repeated refrain underscores loss and reflection, creating a moving meditation on change, disillusionment, and the passage of self. Thank you for sharing this with us. Login to Reply

Paige Hind Date: 9/11/2025 5:49:00 PM This is so emotional, and with such sadness, Eileen. May you find comfort writing this, hugs Login to Reply

CayCay Jennings Date: 9/11/2025 6:42:00 AM 2 nights ago, I started reading this but by 3rd stanza I didn't feel strong enough at the time to handle it. It's that good in composition, that honest in content, its authenticity is palatable and painful because it's a raw and sad shading of layers that peeled away as years passed. Poem forced me to look in the mirror where my other 'women' no longer clearly show, but peek from corners, some corners further away than others as they left at different times. A FAV, a painful FAV. CayCay Login to Reply

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 8/29/2025 6:01:00 AM This took the wind out of me. Powerfully, heart fully expressed. Virtual hugs. xomo Login to Reply Eileen Manassian Date: 8/30/2025 5:40:00 AM Thanks ever so much, dear. It is a long poem. I appreciate the time it took you to read and comment. Nostalgia gets me often. Big hugs to you.

Sara Etgen-Baker Date: 8/28/2025 5:12:00 PM captivating poem with a certain sadness flowing through it. Your poem resonated with me, for at times I wonder where the other woman I used to be is...you have a maturity and grace to what you're experiencing, one that I respect. Faving this poem, hugs, Sara Login to Reply Eileen Manassian Date: 8/30/2025 5:41:00 AM Thank you, Sara. I'm glad you can relate to certain aspects of it. Makes me feel less alone. Blessings

Jerry T Curtis Date: 8/28/2025 2:39:00 PM That is sad, but probably true about all of us. Still super a poem. God Bless Eileen Login to Reply Eileen Manassian Date: 8/30/2025 5:42:00 AM Thanks ever so much, Jerry. Sadness is part of life... an ever constant companion of mine. Hope all is well.

Ilene Bauer Date: 8/28/2025 11:22:00 AM this is very sad but very powerful, eileen. to me, it seems that that woman is still there, but it may take some coaxing to get her to leave her hiding place. i hope she can for all of our sakes... Login to Reply Eileen Manassian Date: 8/30/2025 5:44:00 AM Dear dear Ilene, you've always been kind to me. I never forget a kindness. Thank you for your sweet comment. She comes out of hiding now and again. When she does, she'll come to your page and read your lovely poetry. :)

Aqua Marine Date: 8/28/2025 1:37:00 AM Dear Eileen, I haven't been here for a while, yours is the first poem I read now... It has Potency, unfettered by trauma you've gone through... There is maturity expressed here, in the grieving you express, about the changes within ourselves as we face the harsh realities in life. They are unforgiving, unrepentant. To find freedom from that "Hard Task master" takes almost unbearable courage! I feel for you. (I'm on my way out of that labyrinth.Finding my way "Home." Takes time. (((Hugsxxx)) Login to Reply Eileen Manassian Date: 8/30/2025 5:47:00 AM I'm so glad you're back and honoured that you'd read my work again, dear. I've been on and off here of late. Not at all like I used to be. PS was my second home. I've lost some friends and contacts along the way, but still can't completely stay away. I'm glad to read your lovely, sweet comment. Let's all look to the LIGHT for hope and comfort Big hugs