Eileen Manassian Poet Free verse

The Voice of Her Mother- My Daughter's Gift

I've written the lyrics to two lullabies for my daughter, Shereen. I even made 
up the tunes, and I'd sing to her when she was a baby to put her to sleep. She 
still remembers those songs at 19 years of age. For my birthday last May, she 
wrote this poem as a gift....just like last year. The quoted parts are words taken from the lullabies. I adore my daughter, my greatest and most precious gift.

“When she smiles, I feel like a bird in the sky.”
The words softly sung to the weary child-
This bundle of whimpers
This armful of distress-
Hoping they’d ease her restlessness
Hoping they’d calm her disquieted heart…
And they did. 
Like nothing else ever could.
Nothing could comfort her
Like the voice of her mother.

“She is the apple of my eye.”
Rocking gently in time with the tune, she swiftly fell 
Fell into a peaceful slumber 
Nuzzled in the warmth of her consoler 
Whimpers softened, distress vanished 
Quiet. Serene.
Floating in the promise 
That those words would be there
To welcome her in the morning. 
Nothing could comfort her
Like the voice of her mother. 

“With laughter and joy she fills my heart”
Nestled in that kind embrace
The child, now almost grown
With tear-stained face and heavy heart
Couldn't fight the world alone
But whenever she was breaking, too tired to go on
She’d search for those same words-
To ease her restlessness
To calm her disquieted heart…
She’d search for those same words
To find them in those same arms.
And she’d fall. Like she always did.
Fall into that peaceful slumber
Quiet. Serene.
Floating in the promise 
That those words would be there
To welcome her in the morning. 
Nothing could comfort her
Like the voice of her mother.

Written by Shereen Nathalie Ghali (May 18, 2014)

Please read The Month of May...which is Shereen's first birthday poem written for me and posted here. You will find it if you type the title in PS's search engine. It is a beauty and is in rhyme.

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Eve Roper August 26, 2015 at 7:30 PM Wonderful write but she's had a great roll model Hugs Eve

Robert Lindley July 14, 2014 at 4:06 PM That my friend is a beautifully wonderful tribute to you from your daughter. At 18 after my divorce from her mother my daughter wrote me a long letter telling me how much my love , loyalty and comforting security had meant to her for her all of her life! I treasure it and have requested that letter be laid upon my breast and buried with me. Our children are everything. You too have an amazing daughter!!! Eileen Manassian July 16, 2014 at 3:02 AM Thank you, Robert, for sharing a part of your life with me. Yes, our children are our greatest treasure...they are our continued entity that live on when we are laid to rest. I'm touched by your comment. Thank you for visiting.

Charmaine Chircop July 14, 2014 at 2:44 PM Definitely beautiful Eileen..Just beautiful!!I will read the other one since I have some free time now ,dear. Eileen Manassian July 16, 2014 at 3:02 AM Thanks, my darling. How I love your visits and posts of encouragement. Hugs

Richard Lamoureux July 14, 2014 at 7:35 AM This one is worth rereading and pondering. It is relationships like this that give true meaning to our lives. Eileen Manassian July 16, 2014 at 3:03 AM Thank you, Richard...for you to read and reread my work is indeed sweet solace. Thanks for passing by. Hugs

Mark Trichet July 14, 2014 at 2:03 AM A most precious gift. You must be so proud! Well done Shereen. Like Mother, like Daughter Eileen Manassian July 16, 2014 at 3:04 AM I will pass on your comment to her. She is considering writing more. I am behind her all the way. I believe she has talent. Thank you for seeing that, Mark, and for posting this kind comment.

Justin Bordner July 13, 2014 at 8:37 PM Its extraordinarliy beautiful that these precious words, spirit from mouth to ear to heart, originally sung to soothe the child are now sung back by her to the lovely Mother who now receives them with equal joy and gratitude Eileen. Thats what I call love "coming full circle!" Shereen has special song, and the thoughts,"floating in the promise..." so moving...J.A.B. Eileen Manassian July 16, 2014 at 3:05 AM Love coming full circle is a source of joy, Justin. You are so right! Thank you for these words which are beautiful and comforting. I love having you visit me.

Nette Onclaud July 13, 2014 at 2:51 PM precious rock-a-bye reflecting sweet love between mother and daughter... awhh, i like , eileen.. shereen has talent... huggs Eileen Manassian July 16, 2014 at 3:06 AM Thank you, Nette. I do believe that girl has talent and can stretch her wings and fly. Thank you for seeing that in her. Hugs

Ken Carroll July 13, 2014 at 1:52 PM Very touching and lovely sentimental Eileen!

Casarah Nance July 13, 2014 at 11:18 AM Beautiful. There is nothing more special than a mother and daughter love. Very sweet Eileen :) xox Eileen Manassian July 16, 2014 at 3:07 AM I know that you are blessed with your own daughter, Cas. You know where I'm coming from. Thanks for posting. I appreciate it.

Richard Lamoureux July 13, 2014 at 8:19 AM What a treasure, you must be so proud. She is very talented as well. Eileen Manassian July 13, 2014 at 10:02 AM I'm am..... thank you, Richard. You haven't posted after the Terzanelle.....waiting. Will respond to Soupie when home....at in-law's now. hugs

Paul Callus July 13, 2014 at 7:47 AM Isn't this beautiful! Well done Shereen; looking forward to the next poem...a collaboration between mother and daughter:) I am sure you two make the most awesome pair! // paul Eileen Manassian July 13, 2014 at 7:56 AM We sing together...We've always enjoyed that. She is a spiritual being...and often will encourage me when I'm down and at the point of giving up. I raised her well...and now...when I lose my way...she is there to help me. She is no longer a child, but a woman. A collab would be amazing. Let me consider it! Hugs Eileen Manassian July 13, 2014 at 7:55 AM My daughter has my heart and her father's complexion and height. :) I consider her extremely beautiful...and she has a caring and beautiful heart. She is the best thing that has come out of my marriage. She adores her father...and at times, silly goose that I am, I get jealous. I carried her. I birthed her in pain. I spent sleepless nights. I would give my life for her, but then again...so would he! She is the glue. She is my life.

Tim Smith July 13, 2014 at 6:46 AM Perfect.....You have to be one proud Mother. You daughter is quite gifted. I can see it was passed down from you...Enjoy Tim Eileen Manassian July 13, 2014 at 7:43 AM Thanks for your lovely post, my dear. My daughter is very talented. You read her first poem, The Month of May...she wrote that last year, and it was in Rhyme. She has a lovely singing voice and we sing duets together. I adore her.

Anne-Lise Andresen July 13, 2014 at 6:29 AM - I get tears in my eyes .............. so beautiful, sweet and touching! - You can really be proud of her !!! - Thank you for sharing this with me (us), dear Eileen!! - oxox // Anne-Lise :) Eileen Manassian July 13, 2014 at 7:42 AM Thanks, Sunshine! Yes...she is the pride of my life, and the light of my eyes. She has a lovely voice and often, we sing hymns together...She sings the soprano part, and I the alto. She has three songs on Youtube. I loved singing lullabies to her when she was a child...Now..on some special moment, I get to give her a hug and sing to her again. We are very close.