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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!


 

Just a Note

Blog Posted by Eileen Manassian: 8/7/2017 9:08:00 AM

Dear Soupers,

Just wanted to let you know that I will be away for about ten days. I'm off to Austria and Hungary. I just recently came back from a family holiday in Cyprus, and I did have my laptop with me and was able to post now and again, but this trip will be different. I won't be able to be in touch as much as I won't be taking my laptop.

I do hope to reconnect with you once I'm back. 

 

IF you miss me (wink wink..that's a BIG "IF"), check out my latest poem, No Other. I recently found out that someone has done a dramatic reading of it and recorded it on Sound Cloud. I quite like it! I have the link to the reading. One of Andrea's poems is there as well. Hers is Tangled Vines. I don't know who this person is, but I enjoyed the way he brought the poem to life.

Here is the link for my poem: https://soundcloud.com/allouthelter/no-other-by-eileen-manassian-ghali

Enjoy the rest of summer! Oh, and if you happen to go for a good swim, think of the words of one of my favorite poems by Philip Booth, First Lesson.  It always touches a deep chord in my heart, and I couldn't help but think of it while I was floating on my back in the Mediterranean Sea just a week ago. My daughter was there with me. How I wish she would take the words of this poem to heart! 

 

Lie back daughter, let your head
be tipped back in the cup of my hand.
Gently, and I will hold you. Spread
your arms wide, lie out on the stream
and look high at the gulls. A dead-
man's float is face down. You will dive
and swim soon enough where this tidewater
ebbs to the sea. Daughter, believe
me, when you tire on the long thrash
to your island, lie up, and survive.
As you float now, where I held you
and let go, remember when fear
cramps your heart what I told you:
lie gently and wide to the light-year
stars, lie back, and the sea will hold you. 

Blessings,

Eileen



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Date: 8/9/2017 3:58:00 AM
Thank you all for comments. I'm sorry I can't answer your posts as I'm on holiday in Vienna. Promise to get back to you when I'm home. Hugs and thanks
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Date: 8/8/2017 8:03:00 AM
Sweet poem, have a safe trip. I love seeing all your pics, makes me wish I was right there with you. Keep that beautiful smile on your face :)
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Date: 8/7/2017 6:39:00 PM
Have fun on your trip. this poem is so very endearing.. the love you have for your daughter is like a flower in bloom guiding her essence. . ~*
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Date: 8/7/2017 5:53:00 PM
Just listened to the reading. Lovely poem, and he is reading it so well. Thanks for letting us know about that. And his version of Andrea's poem is wonderful, too.
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Date: 8/7/2017 3:34:00 PM
Wow, I loved how this Helter guy read my poem, Eileen. Do you know who he is? Also, YOUR poem that he read was a wow. It is so deep, Eileen. I just loved it and also this little poem you have shown us by Phillip Booth. (thanks for letting me know about this sound cloud!!)
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Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 8/7/2017 5:10:00 PM
Did you notice I had called the reader Heifer? My eyes are SO bad. I finally realized when I went there again, his name is Helter!!
Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 8/7/2017 5:09:00 PM
Eileen, it's a very long poem (prose) so I am surprised it would have more views. Yours is very beautiful and I have just now put my poem on FB and mentioned yours as well. thanks for your kind words.
Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/7/2017 4:54:00 PM
I'm glad you liked it, dear. Your poem has more views! :) You are Little Miss Flawless! I've always maintained that...and I still do. Off to Vienna in a few hours. Hugs, dear.
Date: 8/7/2017 10:58:00 AM
the soundcloud is good Eileen how did you find out about it? have a wonderful holiday:-) hugs jan xx
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Krampe Avatar
Agnes Krampe
Date: 8/7/2017 5:54:00 PM
WOW -having somebody TATTOO your poem on their body means it is altering lives.
Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/7/2017 4:54:00 PM
I know...that really touched my heart. She has it tattooed on her rib cage. It's part of the poem, Too Much Sadness for Me. Hugs, dear.
Allison Avatar
Jan Allison
Date: 8/7/2017 12:17:00 PM
I've found my stuff on the web but never on soundcloud - well done Eileen and its very touching someone has your work tattooed forever:-) hugs Jan xx
Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/7/2017 12:14:00 PM
I could give you more examples, but the Sound Cloud I just discovered recently. I'm glad to know some people out there appreciate my work. :) Hugs
Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/7/2017 12:13:00 PM
Hey, sweetie! I periodically google my name! I'm so so amazed by all the places my poems have gone. One is used in an educational website, several on the homepages of some very good websites. They have gotten into educational books. One girl has part of my poem tattooed on her body. I find that from what was written in the book God and Tattoos: Why are people writing on themselves.
Date: 8/7/2017 9:35:00 AM
Oh, this poem is wonderful!
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Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/7/2017 9:36:00 AM
Glad you like it. I came upon it eons ago when I was in my twenties. I copied it down on paper, and till this day...it moves me. Even back then I was in love with words. I will be in love with words till my dying day. Hugs, Agnes.
Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/7/2017 9:35:00 AM
Thank you, dear. Much appreciated. :) Hugs
Date: 8/7/2017 9:34:00 AM
Have a good trip, Eileen.
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Manassian Avatar
Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/7/2017 9:38:00 AM
Much appreciated, Agnes. :) Haven't finished packing yet, but I wanted to let everyone know that I'd be away for a bit. I will be back! Till then, take care.

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