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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!

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Voices for Change

Blog Posted by Eileen Manassian: 8/23/2017 9:44:00 AM

Dear Soupers,

I recently shared a blog about one of my poems being read dramatically to musical accompaniment on Sound Cloud. I shared the link. Andrea was also pleased to know that one of her poems was featured by the same person on Sound Cloud.

Well, I'm happy to tell you that one of my poems has been turned into a video. Lauren Godly sent me request months ago to use my poem From Adored to Abhorred as the basis for a video project that she was doing. It's finished and is now featured on her website:

http://lauren-rose.net/index.php/2017/06/01/enough/

She's entitled it ENOUGH. If you clink on the link, you will be taken to the youtube video. The video is about domestic violence. I'm honored that my poem is used in this way to bring awareness about the horrific nature of domestic violence.

We have a social responsibility. As poets, we have the privledge to use our words for the betterment of humanity.

My poem was not written about domestic violence but about neglect in a relationship, which is also a form of abuse.

Here is the link to the youtube video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmdlFzlJb-c

Be a voice for change.

God bless one and all,

Adored to Abhorred

from owned to dethroned
you led me
from queen to unseen
you hid me
once crowned to now bound
you kept me

absorbed to derobed
you left me
a spectacle to be gawked at
you jeered me

from diamond to dust
you threw me
once devoid of lust
you spurned me

and yet, here I am
  naked
       bleeding
              dishonored
  unwanted

here I stand
here I smile
biding my time a while
knowing as I do
the inner splendor shines through

I bathe my naked body
perfume every curve
comb out my raven hair
for I dare
This is swear:

None can usurp my throne
It's mine and mine alone
I climb the stairs
and they all stare
yes, they stare
so aware
the Queen has returned
your history’s been burned

I'm here
more beautiful than before
radiance galore
I see you
with flames of desire
once more in your eyes
you...watch me.....R^I^S^E

my glory emanates through
every idol set up by you
adoration's MY due

It is true:

discarded to lauded
I taunt you
demeaned to re-queened
I rule you

I reign, I disdain
don't be vain
your plea to return
I will burn
spurn
I'll watch you yearn

you can't take me back
I know what you lack
a heart and a soul
I won’t make you whole

Knighted to blighted
I see you

And so….
adored to abhorred
I leave you

Eileen Manassian

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Suzanne
Delaney

Date: 8/26/2017 11:30:00 AM

That's great, Eileen: Amazing when our poems reach others to help in ways we never expected. This is a powerful message against abuse. One of mine ended up in a book about suicde and another one was read in a memorial service for Christi McCauliffe killed in 1986 in the Challenger accident. Hugs, SuZ

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/27/2017 3:05:00 PM

OH! That is so powerful, Suzanne. Yes, it is such a good feeling to know that our words....can bring healing. I'm so glad that your poetry was a source of comfort. Blessings, dear.

Michael
Tor

Date: 8/25/2017 11:49:00 PM

Your taking poetry to another level with the video and sound. Congratulations for this inspiring but tragic realization of abuse. Wonderful write that is gripping and sad. Your words mixed with sound and visual conveys the ultimate message. Great work Eileen along with the others involved.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/27/2017 3:03:00 PM

Thank you, Michael. Some things are hard to write about, but....that doesn't mean they need to be ignored. Without speaking out, there can be no hope for change. My heart goes out to all victims of abuse in all its forms.

Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 8/24/2017 11:00:00 PM

I just saw it, Eileen. Lauren did amazing work with her inspiration from you. Loved the background music she was using too.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/25/2017 2:30:00 AM

As with any creative work, one always sees room for improvement. Looking back, I certainly would have tweaked my poem a bit, and I do think some improvements could have been made in the final production; however, it is a source of good for the world. That brings me great joy. Lauren has done a great job with her video production.

Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 8/24/2017 10:45:00 PM

Eileen. sorry I took so long to come here. I will watch the video on my way off. Having problems sleeping lately and am gonna try a new approach - going to bed before midnight. HA. Anyway, I want to congratulate you on this awesome success. It's so lovely to see when people use our poems especially in a worthwhile way such as this!

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 8/25/2017 6:24:00 PM

yes, it WAS used in a most constructive way, Eileen. Someone told me last night to listen to a hypnosis youtube video for my insomnia. It was a miserable failure!

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/25/2017 2:29:00 AM

Good luck with the sleep issue, dear. Thank you for visiting my blog, dear. I am happy that my poem is used in a constructive way. :)

Joseph
May

Date: 8/23/2017 7:07:00 PM

Powerful story of abuse and resilience Eileen...Well done ..

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/23/2017 10:33:00 PM

Thank you, Joseph, for passing by. I do not suffer from physical abuse. My poem was not originally written about that, but poems are interpreted through the reader's frame of reference. We interact with the text. I'm glad the poem could be used to highlight this unfortunate reality for many.

Jan
Allison

Date: 8/23/2017 3:37:00 PM

Bravo Eileen, it is poetry and videos like this that CAN make a difference:-) hugs jan xx

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/23/2017 10:33:00 PM

Thanks, Jan. You are always so supportive of my work. Bless you, dear.

Kim
Rodrigues

Date: 8/23/2017 2:15:00 PM

Wonderful, Eileen!!

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/23/2017 10:41:00 PM

Thank you, Kim. I appreciate the fact that you took the time to visit and post. :)

Eve
Roper

Date: 8/23/2017 11:23:00 AM

Fabulous write, Eileen, so very sad to want to end your life .. abuse can tear down to the last strip of life left..

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/23/2017 10:44:00 PM

Fortunately, I do not have to deal with domestic violence, Eve. I'm glad my poem could be interpreted in that way, though. So many suffer in silence and finally opt for suicide. I'm glad I could be part of this project. Hugs

Craig
Cornish

Date: 8/23/2017 11:10:00 AM

Bravo Eileen!

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/23/2017 10:51:00 PM

Thank you, Craig. Much appreciated.

Seren
Roberts

Date: 8/23/2017 11:01:00 AM

Brilliant poem and brilliant video....Seren

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/23/2017 10:52:00 PM

Thank you, Seren. Sweet of you to pass by. :)

Cyndi
Macmillan

Date: 8/23/2017 10:36:00 AM

Awesome that your work was featured in such a significant and powerful way! Happy for you and cheering very loudly! YES!

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/23/2017 10:44:00 AM

:) Awwwww...thanks a million, Cyndi. I'm really happy. I periodically check to see where my poems have traveled. One's in textbook published by Cengage on Systems Analysis. The author used it in the dedication page. Another is in a book entitled, God and Tattoos. The list goes one. Maybe one day I'll pluck up enough courage to submit my work myself as you have done. For now, this brings me joy. Blessings and thanks.

Becca
Teagan

Date: 8/23/2017 10:22:00 AM

Eileen, this is amazing. Your poem is awesome. The video was hard to watch, but powerful. Yes, a powerful and beautiful voice for change. Well done. And congratulations ... this is an accomplishment to be very proud of.

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/23/2017 10:31:00 AM

Thank you, Becca. One never knows where a poem will wander off to. There is always what an author writes and what a reader perceives. I'm glad this poem could be used to raise awareness about domestic violence. I surely appreciate your lovely visit. Hugs

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