Best Beirut Poems
Let the birds be silent
Let the air be poisoned
Let every sound be tormenting
Let the light be dark.
Let my flower not bloom
And my days be gloom.
Let my dream be a nightmare
And my thoughts become
frightful.
Let my pages be empty
And my colors be dry.
Let my words sound confusing
And the sky fall to the ground.
Let my night sky be moonless
let there be no stars, Let the
rivers run dry.
Let the sweet taste of honey be
just memory and no bees and
no hives.
Let me forget life as I know it
Let me just fantasize.
Background:
My home land Lebanon was once a beautiful place to live. Now instead it's unbearable! It is consumed by noise pollution, dirt pollution, politics pollution.... our green mountains are been stripped down hardly any forest left. Only 3 % of our forests exist. Our Cities are over crowded with cars not to mention motor bikes of all kind and sizes, they appear from nowhere ready to crush you, strip you or both. Generators noisy and smelly it gets to you inside and out. Our politicians are too busy filling their pockets with green paper, fighting among each other who should get the lion's share. Sorry to say! Lebanon was known the Switzerland of the Middle East. Today we are among the most corrupted nations!
Categories:
beirut, growing upsound, green, me,
Form:
Verse
The Twelve Angels of Beirut
They huddle together in the heavens
Muttering amongst themselves
Confused as any human down below
We bestow upon them the ancient teachings
Not once, not twice, variations to please all walks of life
Yes thrice
They may choose the ancient books they follow
They may keep the traditions yet must adapt to modern intellect
Such literate men who seem not to read
Who can cast his eyes at his child?
Feeling nothing but love and endearment?
Who pray tell us is displeased to arrive at his home at dusk?
Angels we twelve have nourished
We have showed you both love, morality and compassion
Yet ye who divides faith, chooses battle
You so easily prefer to drink blood
Rather than bestow a red rose upon breast
Olive trees so ripe have no meaning at all for you
Like a tree that reaches the sky
All things change, as evolution’s duty dictates
Yet you fight to keep perceptions frozen in time
You cover a woman’s face
When its you who should hide in shame
Modesty is how we bestow good deeds to strangers
It is how we look at our hearts in the mirror
A woman’s beauty should shine to the heavens
Competing only with a mans debonair style of chivalry
Honor you mother and father
Honor your tribe
Not with traditions and rented cloth
Honor with your whole heart
Feed the poor and kiss your enemy on both cheeks
The skies will become your friend
We sit here waiting in torment and anguish
Crying to the heavens that surround us
We gave you hearts and minds
You return us blood and bombs
We are ashamed of our duties
For we have obviously failed you
Forgive us, you tribes of the three branches
We are the twelve angels of Beirut
Whose tears give you your sea
Categories:
beirut, allah, angel, anger, angst,
Form:
Light Verse
Have a good friend
Here on the Soup
Affectionately known as
Betty Boop from Beirut
A talented lady
Emotionally charged
This sweetest of sweethearts
By a margin quite large
Each day to the fullest
She expresses her love
Her passion for life
And the Man up above
My life's been enriched
Since meeting Miss Boop
So happy to have met her
Here on the Soup
It's not every day
We find such connection
With another soul
With such great affection
Have a good friend
Here on the Soup
Affectionately known as
Betty Boop from Beirut
© Jack Ellison 2013
Categories:
beirut, dedication, love,
Form:
Quatrain
Beirut, Beirut...why do you charm me so?
Why do you make my heart smolder
With a never ending glow?
Beirut, Beirut...why do you captivate?
Why is it that when I see you
I feel I'm at heaven's gate?
Beirut, Beirut….how do you mesmerize?
How do your bejeweled shores
Make my heart fantasize?
Beirut, Beirut….where can you try to hide?
The buildings with the gaping holes,
The ground on which martyrs died?
Beirut, Beirut…..when will conflict ever cease?
When will terror give up its reign,
So you can be crowned with peace?
Beirut, Beirut, you sparkle so at night
When war scars are all covered up
And I can revel in your light!
Beirut, Beirut….when will you truly be?
Free from the wretched stench of war
Free to bask in your liberty.
Beirut, oh Beirut, prosper and be strong
Show the world your lovely face
For God blessings to you belong!
Eileen Manassian
Categories:
beirut, beautiful, city,
Form:
Rhyme
I know a nice lady who lives in Beirut
She's very popular here on The Soup
A soft kind of soul
My heart she once stole
If asked she would jump through hoops
© Jack Ellison 2015
Categories:
beirut, humorous,
Form:
Limerick
A lot of us have nicknames
Have you heard of “Betty Boop from Beirut”
The sweetest flower in the Middle East
Passionate, loving, and caring
Describes her to a “t”
It is an honour for me to call her my “friend”
I speak of course of Eileen Manassian
Who did you think I was writing about... duh!
Those who know her and I'm sure there are many
Are aware of her warm heart, her loving, caring soul
A true sweetheart of a lady
I am truly blessed to call Betty Boop my friend!
– signed Kenny, with love
© Jack Ellison 2014
Categories:
beirut, tribute,
Form:
Narrative
Beirut, Beirut...why do you charm me so?
Why do you make my heart smolder
With a never ending glow?
Beirut, Beirut...why do you captivate?
Why is it that when I see you
I feel I'm at heaven's gate?
Beirut, Beirut….how do you mesmerize?
How do your bejeweled shores
Make my heart fantasize?
Beirut, Beirut….where can you try to hide?
The buildings with the gaping holes,
The ground on which martyrs died?
Beirut, Beirut…..when will conflict ever cease?
When will terror give up its reign,
So you can be crowned with peace?
Beirut, Beirut, you sparkle so at night
When war scars are all covered up
And I can revel in your light!
Beirut, Beirut….when will you truly be?
Free from the wretched stench of war
Free to bask in your liberty.
Beirut, oh Beirut, prosper and be strong
Show the world your lovely face
For God blessings to you belong!
Categories:
beirut, places, political, war, heart,
Form:
Rhyme