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Eileen Manassian
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I guess you could say I'm a citizen of the world. I've traveled....and I've lived parts of my life in Iran, Lebanon, the US, and Cyprus. I am proud of my Armenian heritage. I was born in Tehran, Iran and soon after that, my family went to the States for my dad to work on his MA degree and many years later, to work on his Ed.D. I have a lot of the Middle East and the West in me, and at times....I feel confused about my identity. I do, however, cling to my Armenian roots and am outspoken about recognition by the world of the Armenian Genocide that took place over 100 years ago.

Since my parents had no common language, the language spoken in our home was English. Yes, I am most fluent in English, and I think, dream, and converse in that language, though I do speak 5 other languages to varying degrees! :)

I am melancholy/sanguine by nature and feel everything very keenly. My highs are SUPER HIGH...and my lows...SUPER LOW! I guess you could say...I'm INTENSE. I'm passionate about poetry to the point of obsession.

The events that have colored my life are the death of my mother due to MS and the war in Lebanon. As a child, it was hard for me to come to grips with the fact that my mother was ill, and to see her go from being a vibrant, well-loved teacher to a wheelchair bound, isolated woman was a very harrowing experience. I do believe, though, that there is a resurrection day and that, by His grace, I will see my Mama fully restored...free of wheelchair, able to sing, laugh, and smile again. The war in Lebanon...bombs landing all around, nights spent in bomb shelters.. has also scarred me to some degree.

What I'm most proud of? That would be my daughter...Shereen Natalie Ghali. She is the light of my life. Her name in Farsi means SWEET! :)

Currently, I teach English at Middle East University in Beirut, Lebanon. Poetry Soup has been a haven for me....most of the time! ;) I've developed amazing friendships here that are very genuine and real. My dream is to one day have my name on a volume of poetry! One can always dream....Thank you for making the effort to get acquainted. God bless!


 

Happy Birthday, Mr Seal

Blog Posted by Eileen Manassian: 3/1/2017 1:54:00 PM

I'm not sure how many of you know Richard D Seal. He hasn't been active for a while here; however, I DO know that he will post a comment now and again on the blogs. Sure wish he'd get back to writing again.

Back in the day, Richard was very active here and he and Richard L were two people I loved bantering with. I wanted to write a poem about the good Richard and the naughty one. I'll leave it to you to figure who is who.

I don't know if Richard Seal will make an appearing. I sure hope he does. I miss the good old days where he'd tease me no end.

If you are around, Richard, happy birthday. I wish you every good thing in life. Of course, you know that your absolute BEST piece of work, in my humble opinion, is this poem:

Hurricane Eileen - The Storm

A dedication to Eileen Ghali
for her prolific production of
inspiring work

Willow Tree = Keyboard
And that’s your only clue

Hurricane Eileen - The Storm

As darkness drew nearer
Light falling to drearer
I knew, the night was a foul
The windows were slashed
By her white lightening blast
Down the chimney old windy did howl

By her orchestrates
He rattles the grates
Appears round each gap in the door
Then in comes her rain
Through cracked window pain
As I witness her latest downpour

How the storm fascinates
With the show she creates
And I sit here and watch her for free
Down on the plain 
Taking the strain
She batters the gnarled willow tree

Great thunder clouds form 
In the head of the storm
And magic arrives in her sky
Come rivers of rain
With nowhere to drain
The water, a flood, rises high

Then happens a lull
To recharge to the full
Takes time out to contemplate
To be cruel or be kind
She rampages her mind
And comes back, at double the rate

With a boom and a crack
Bursts silver from black
A crescendo of noise fills the ear
And the gnarled willow tree
Writhes in ecstasy
By the pulse of her wild atmosphere

Mixed shadows are cast 
By her white lightening blast
Her soul, for a while, exposed
For a moment in time 
All is in rhyme
Till her story she chooses to close

As her elements soar
They’re at large with a roar
For hours they’ll dance and they’ll play
Blows the hurricane
Driving her reign
Till had, fulfilment of stay

With her forces unleashed
Her passions released
The storm passes over to light
Once more she has shown 
By the tantrum she’s sown
Her strength… her power… her MIGHT.

 

Alwasy my favorite of your poems. Miss having you around, Mr Seal. Happy birthday!

 

Hurricane Eileen/Desert Orchid/Auntie Eileen...



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Date: 3/8/2017 8:08:00 AM
I remember this one, he's a talented guy and This is a great dedication. We all had a lot of fun back then.
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Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 3/9/2017 9:27:00 PM
We did, Richard, we did. I don't know...a lot of people from way back when have gone MIA. It's sad. Hugs, dear.
Date: 3/5/2017 7:23:00 PM
Typical, late for my own party lol, thanks guys, much appreciated. Yes, I've been somewhat neglectful, must find more time. Thank you my little Desert Orchid, very thoughtful of you. See you all soon. Take care, Richard.
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Lamoureux Avatar
Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/8/2017 8:07:00 AM
Happy Birthday Richard, I too miss you. I hope life is treating you well.
Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 3/5/2017 8:11:00 PM
Better late than never, Richard. I hope you had a good day celebrating....hope that you don't lose your wittiness and teasing nature as the years roll by. All the best in your new adventures.
Date: 3/3/2017 7:21:00 PM
Great description of storminess. Cheers, Eileen and Richard.
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Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 3/3/2017 10:17:00 PM
Thanks, Doug. The poem shows his great talent in writing. Check out his work. Thanks for posting. Blessings
Date: 3/2/2017 9:08:00 AM
This was great of you to do for Richard, Eileen. He is a GEM. Happy happy birthday, friend Richard Seal!!!
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Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 3/3/2017 10:15:00 PM
He surely is. I miss him terribly. He was such a tease. Oh well....I hope he gets back to writing sometime. I miss those who aren't active. Drake....Donna...David....Caleb. Something about the good old days gets to me. Thanks for posting, Andrea. I'm sure he'll read...eventually Hugs
Date: 3/1/2017 3:56:00 PM
Hi dear Eileen, I do miss Richard, Hope He is reading this-Happy Birthday dear Richard, Come back soon. Lovely tribute dear sweet Eileen, and such a fantastic poem for you. Love yr avatar xx
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Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 3/1/2017 4:17:00 PM
Hi, sweetie. I never forget someone who was dear to me. Though he may pass by or not, I still want to wish him a happy birthday and all the best. :) How are you? My avatar...yes, well, as I'm approaching fifty...I find myself in panic mode and acting strange. Love you
Date: 3/1/2017 2:13:00 PM
What a lovely poem for you Eileen and a lovely birthday tribute for Richard - there are many missing from soup at the moment but I guess life issues take precedent over soup. I hope Richard is back soon and will read your blog:-( hugs Jan xx
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Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 3/1/2017 4:19:00 PM
I keep all the poems people have written for me, Jan. A poem gift must be the most special of kinds. Just read over Richard L's poem the Queen of Passion. It warms my heart. Missing from the soup...but never from the heart. Hugs, dear one.

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