This is a brilliant and honest look at the collaborative process. You perfectly capture the tension and the beauty of it. The line “Turning glass back into sand” is an amazing image for the way things come together.

Collaborations are a dance in a way. Got to read your partner. It’s tricky to get magic but when it works it’s beautiful.

Great ink friend.

I remember you from the ember DU days (daze?) but our paths never crossed. You were always so encouraging and supportive of fellow comrades. That is an art in itself. Keep writing fella.

Great and beautifully written reflections, dear Damian! I agree, the collaboration process is an art itself. Different writing styles collide, and if they are harmonic, the result will read like penned with one ink. When the styles are very different, maybe a piece of abstract art will be created. The diversity of possible collaborations makes them beautiful and interesting!

Even Lennon and McCartney couldn’t get along in the end. Collaborations are famous throughout history. But sometimes ideas go in different directions, ego’s overtake, and animosity takes over. It can be sad, very sad when things fall apart.

Friends drift apart. As you mentioned in your last comment. Also we just change. Many things we don’t enjoy or like from when we were kids or teenagers. Keeping a friend or two from your youth though is important. I feel it’s the bridge to a life that was a simpler, more meaningful time. We grow old, but the kid inside never dies. Great write Damian.

I always find collaborating incredibly intimidating. How to find a balance where both voices carry equal weight? Some styles are more dominating & others more gentle. But I’ve seen jarringly different styles woven beautifully in a single piece. I love the glass back to sand metaphor. Deconstructing to its base element. All comes from the same beach, as it were. The places your pen travels, my friend…

I have been asked many times but even though I am occasionally tempted, I have always tended to shy away .. having said that, I have a great deal of admiration for anyone who chooses to go down that particular poetic and or storytelling route & gets something out of it other than enjoyment or a headache .. I imagine that here you have given this particular reader something to think about long after the curtain has been drawn .. Kindest regards to both you n your pen Damian .. Neville

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Awesome poetry, Styx. I always enjoy your articulation.

Thank you Tim. I’m trying to get away from my long prose pieces and attempt things more poetic. My goal anyway. LOL.

This gives me hints of Egypt and Africa. The chalice is a beautiful offering of self. Love this.

Beautifully penned, Mark. Incredible imagery my friend, amazing write. Appreciate you.

Damian

And this is why Mark. This is why we write. Impeccable as ever. Tis always been a joy to read you. Do I get an invite to the wedding? A Welshman running loose under U.S of A skies.

Need to share this. It cut me like a blade into the guts, but I have moved on. There will never be enough room in my heart to thank the likes of you and Gary. In redemption, Rob

Ah but Rob, I’m only a two generation back American. My people were boat people. LOL. I enjoy the diversity of cultures, obviously. It is how we progress as humans. Yes? All of my years in the Army further strengthened that belief.
Del and I are not rushing a wedding. And, we just may elope to Vegas when the time comes. So far we are still doing the airplane rides back and forth to see each other. (Jobs, etc… ) But the future is obviously obvious for us.
As for writing, I’m still hacking at what I hope is worthy reads. I look for like-minded writers such as yourself, that are into the crafting of it all. No fluff, no generic porn just for attention. I will take a handful of dedicated writers to surround myself with, because it betters me. It was a reward discovering your own material. And still is. Som thank you for the comradery.

Oh. This read makes me feel like molten lava. Truly. It’s not rushed and had me smiling the whole time I read it. I have not written in a while. Material like this gets me motivated. I wish I had 4 arms! I’d get more work done! Great nod to intimacy honey. This is fantastic! Love you:)

Reading this poem felt like stepping into a sanctuary where intimacy becomes devotion. Its language carries a quiet heat, dignified yet deeply stirring. “Your fingers are pilgrims” and “read me in cursive” stood out to me as moments of profound connection, not just passion. The closing image, “a candle still warm at the wick,” leaves a soft afterglow – a reminder that some encounters echo long after they’ve passed.

Wonderful comment, Romaj.
I’m finding some keen motivation here in Starsrite, to write what I hope to be quality reads. Include yourself in that motivation. You are a gifted writer.
The “warm at the wick” was my fav idea and carried this write for me. A snuffed candle, yet that served its purpose.

This is an outstanding, passionate and heart touching piece, Styxian! The imagery and the wording are brilliant! I love how you elevate your relationship to a higher spiritual level by using cross references to the divine, like the Psalms or the chalice!

Very muchly enjoyed sir .. Neville 😎👍

“I am yours, not for the night,
but for the echo it leaves in our bones.” This thought spoke to me Styxian. The whole of the poem did as well. There is a feel of REAL Love, the kind that shares not only the intimacy, but everything that life presents to both of you. A sharing that leads to a hold-fast bond. I don’t think many have this kind of shared connection, or this kind of love. You express it delicately as well as passionately. Really, nicely written Styxian.

-Curt

Cool stuff Fia !

I caught a bad case of covid last week! It kicked my ass! It went through my work and got a few of us. I’m all better now!

Thanks for the info, Fia. Appreciate you.

Damian

How exciting!! I’m late to the post but the video put me right there with ya!
Congrats amiga:)

Beautifully penned, Brenda. A very lovely write my friend. Appreciate you.

Damian

This poem is a vivid, honest look at desire – full of passion but also quiet vulnerability. The contrast between the “neon God” and “bluebirds” is striking and memorable.

I feel these words. They are otherworldly, uttered from another world beyond the one we inhabit.
Kind regards
James