Eileen's Poem was put to song in Honor of her heartfelt and deeply talented work. I haven't noticed her participation in the soup lately, so offer up my prayers for her and her loved one to be safe. God bless Eileen and Thank you Eileen for this emotionally riveting song.
Tribute to Eileen Manassian
Eileen's last poem was in November of 2025.
I'm worried, concerned, and grieved about her safety.
According to her bio, she was teaching at Middle East University in Beirut, Lebanon.
From her bio: The war in Lebanon...bombs landing all around, nights spent in bomb shelters... has also scarred me to some degree.
I grieve.
Because the air strikes have intensified. And armed conflicts, civil unrest, and terrorism have hit her city.
Eileen has been in the middle of the crossfire, with the US-Iran war compounding the volatility of her life.
I grieve.
I miss the vibrant Eileen, who would bring blossoms to Poetry Soup.
And pray for a happy outcome and reunion.
Note: Since I have already entered a tribute in Constance's contest, this poem here is filed under goodwill.
connie pachecho
7/3/26
The one I call sister is gone
Where can I find her
When I feel all alone
I look for her name
and something new
Her voice was my company
My foreign view
I need this feeling
A way to touch
Behind the battle lines
Both of us
My danger is only
Constant fear
After years of knowing
She disappears
Words so sweet
They satisfied
They always rang of truth
And never lied
And here I come to this address
Her absence the cause of my distress
I never thought
to have a daughter in the army
Bombs exploding,
Buildings falling
I wonder if she sleeps at night
Or listen for noises that cause great fright
O Lord, My God
If you hear
Be her shelter
Let her know we care
A special Birthday wish to my good friend Eileen. As many of you know I have named her the Queen of The Romantic Pen. She is one of the most talented poets I have ever come across.
Join me in wishing her an amazing Birthday.
She is a warm hearted and lovely person. She deserves to be honoured.
I know her Birthday is not until the 18th but I’ll be traveling at that time. I don’t want to miss an opportunity to wish her well.
All the best Eileen, enjoy an amazing new rotation around the sun.
Hugs and Love
Richard.
Dying Young Lyrics by Eileen Manassian
I’m afraid of dying young
Of leaving things yet undone
I’m afraid I’ll leave this place
Yet not leave a single trace
I’m afraid I haven’t said
All that lives inside my head
I’m afraid I’ll disappear
And no one will hold me dear.
chorus
I’m afraid I’ve yet to touch ,The hearts of those I love so much
I’m afraid I’ll never see, Who it is I’m meant to be
I’m afraid, for can’t you see?, Not much time is left for me.
I’m afraid, oh, I’m afraid
Instrumental
Soon I’ll lie silent in my grave…
With my stories yet untold
With my dreams yet to unfold
With my songs yet unsung
With my words yet on my tongue
With my passion tucked away
With no more prayers left to pray
I’m afraid……
chorus
I’m afraid I’ve yet to touch ,The hearts of those I love so much
I’m afraid I’ll never see, Who it is I’m meant to be
I’m afraid, for can’t you see?, Not much time is left for me.
I’m afraid, oh, I’m afraid
Afraid
(Afraid)
Afraid
(Afraid)
Afraid
Alone Lyric By Eileen Manassian
Alone, alone..
.always alone
The pain I feel
cannot be known
This heart of flesh has turned to stone
Alone, alone...
I am alone
Chorus
Alone, alone...always alone
My dreams on wistful wings have flown
Depression has usurped my throne
Alone, alone...I am alone
Instrumental
Alone, alone..
.always alone
The wind gives voice
to primal groan
This world
no empathy has shown
I'll live, I'll die,
and rest...alone
Chorus
Alone, alone...always alone
My dreams on wistful wings have flown
Depression has usurped my throne
Alone, alone...I am alone
(Alone)
(Alone)
(I am alone)
This Is a Tanka written by Eileen Manassain and reimagined by me by
adding every other verse in order to create Lyrics we could put to music.
please visit Eileen recent page and enjoy This poem in it's original Form.
I want to Thank Eileen for the privilege of working with her on these poems
Nothing seems to last
The present now the past
flowers weep faded petals
Like flaking paint or rusty metal
A faint scent lingers
Upon the barren tips of fingers
once blooming in bright color
Now appear quite smothered
My poems have lost their appeal
No longer things seem real
emotions wither
And darkness comes hither
Wilted words whirl in the wind
Until they blow my way again
bereft of beauty
Void of duty
I strive to remain rooted
In a world so polluted
hoping for droplets of love
Droplets from above
For thirteen years, we would frolic and play.
Then came that very infamous day.
Of all times, it would come at the start of May.
That was when you suddenly passed away.
I have felt sad and lonely each day.
Only for a little longer, I wish you could stay.
I've known strong professional women before
their grace under pressure, I'll always adore.
These ladies who are driven by such devotion
are the ones who dare to focus their emotion.
These dames who face boldly issues of gender
tightly hold principle and never surrender.
There weren't many like this who I'd ever seen
till through Tom her husband, I'd met Eileen.
She urgently needed to pooh
No paper, what should Eileen do
She took off her drawers
And used them of course
Then disposed of them down the loo
Her knickers then blocked up the drains
Some plumbers found brown stained remains
So when you're using a loo
Just flush wee, paper and pooh
It's easy, folks should use their brains
Inspired by a story on sky news
4/24/18
Join me in wishing two amazing women a very Happy Birthday! Mama Bear (my mom and Eileen my good friend. They both share the same Birthday, which makes sense because they are each strong and passionate women. I hope you both have an amazing day, you deserve it. You both have added flavour to the soup and are a big reason why I have continued to come back to participate in this on line community.
Happy happy happy Birthday!
Water Drops
Waterdrops
Falling from the sky
Waterdrops falling from my eyes
Tumbling down, in sorrow’s depth I drown
If only my waterdrops
Could water your heart
I would drown you with happiness
Giving life a new start
Are waterdrops not the seeds of hope?
In the darkness for years I too did grope
If only my waterdrops
Could whisper the right words
Waterdrops
Washing over the worlds woes
Rainbows hidden in depressions throes
I fall to my knees, in a terrible fright
Waterdrops have conquered
This shining black knight
For how can I save the damsel in distress?
The fiercest of demons, has put me to the test
Waterdrops on roses
Whispering flowers
Winds caressing the darkest of rains
I am left to pray
Longing to see her smile and poetry again
At the moment, I am struggling to cope with the fact that my closest friend in the world passed away some time during the night of May 1, 2016. I have known Eileen since March of 2003. I have shared countless cherished experiences with her for the past thirteen years. I am presently so overcome with grief that I cannot express myself any further. RP
How silly of you
to think you are silly!
Do you think folks just visit your page
willy-nilly?
Does one come for the show
and leave with all forgotten?
To think this is so
is really quite wanton.
It is too linger in the mouth,
to be savored through out the day.
Uncensored and full of life,
let the pieces fall where they may!
Could it be, Eileen,
that people don't just stop for the rhymes.
But maybe because
through your poems, they see a beautiful mind?
Could it be perchance,
they long for a dance,
through the avenues of a peculiar soul
that isn't copy-and-paste,
without frills and waste,
but in fact is part of the greater whole?
We see glimpses now and then
through your ink and through your pen.
But don't go on believing
that you've let the cat out of the bag, just yet.
(This is Eileen Ghali, after all ... lest we forget!)
In response to Must It Be For Contest.
Richard:
Sometimes words speak louder than actions
Is it possible that this could be true?
Spoken hastily, without compassion
Have such words been spoken by you?
Eileen:
Such words have been spoken by me
making others dejected and blue
Words that have stole the sun from the skies
But they've never been spoken by you
Richard:
Words can also be very uplifting
Even if those gifted are just a few
Removing sadness, comforting hearts
Have such words been spoken to you?
Eileen:
Yes, such words have been spoken to me
They’ve refreshed my soul like the dew
My heart takes to wing and it flies
Because of words spoken by you.
Together:
And so our dear friends come and hear
This message, you know it's quite true
Words spoken, can heal or can harm
What words will be spoken by you?
A Richard Lamoureux and Eileen Manassian Collaboration
Thanks for accepting my invitation Eileen, you speak beautiful words!
Thanks also to the many lovely people here who have been a wonderful inspiration to me since I have joined Poetry Soup. Your words are meaningful and lasting.
Merry Christmas my friends, you are my Family of the Pen!
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