I like how the poem weaves together memory, myth, and landscape -using Kilimanjaro and the elephants as both witnesses and carriers of history, loss, and hope. I feel the weight of longing for someone gone, but also a sense of resilience, as if the mountain and the rain hold the promise of renewal and freedom.

Hello Rob,

​This has been a fun and truly rewarding collaboration. When I first read your poem, those lines – “I still curate her mascara upon my pillow, The siren, bride to desire, / Will simply sing” -immediately stood out to me. I felt your voice was reflective, a curator of memory waiting for a shift.

The Siren is that shift!  I focused on making her the immediate, visceral answer to your poem. You introduced the idea of the wave and the summons, and I wanted my poem to embody the full force and consequence of invoking an elemental creature of the sea. It was about taking your reflection and turning it into a moment of pure, overwhelming action.

​Thank you so much for the prompt; I genuinely enjoyed writing this with you. I really love this kind of improv and following an established energy.

​On a completely different note: If you liked “The Siren” and want to try another style, I can also do rap! I used to be in a gamer group where the young people would try to battle rap me in impromptus, and I’d completely destroy them. Hahaha. Just a thought for a future experiment!
​I enjoyed this so much. I hope you did too.
​RomaJ

My pleasure. You are an absolute diamond and please promise me this, never ever stop shining.

A rap battle? My sweet Lord, I’m just an indie man at heart. Challenge accepted, but you will have to give me a wee bit of time. I will need the advice of my friends. Lol.

That is one of the kindest things anyone has ever said to me -thank you! I promise to keep shining as long as you promise to keep writing.

​Haha, the rap battle reference is a funny story! I used to hang out in a gamer community where the young folks often started lyrical battles. I ended up joining in just for fun -I love rhyme and could go all day! It made for some great memories. Take all the time you need. I fully respect a rap battle that requires a council of advisors. Thank you for this fun collaboration.