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.

Hello Crims!
I like the old-timey vibe of this. I wish there was more along this type actually. It just seems to set a nice tone when reading. Like those before us perhaps. At any rate, this is a wonderful poem that you’ve presented for us.

Hey crimson!

The last line is a dark but beautiful visual. It gives me a Celtic vibe.
It starts off with wonderful bits of love then changes tone.
I love the word pairing of sweeping crimson. It’s like a red wave of devotion.

Love your stuff chica:)

hello lovely poetess thank you graciously ❤️

Beautifully penned, Brenda. Amazing write my friend. Appreciate you.

Damian

You’re on a tear lately, Rob. Which is good for us as your audience!
You sir are truly a poet. Even if you scoff at such titles. LOL.
I love where this write took me, in my own visuals. just enough detail to create a scene, for us to be bystanders to with our own eyes in our brains.

Your ability as a writer always makes me interested in reading what you offer today. This is mainly why I find a site to frequent. Not for my own accolades, but to be energized by others’ writes. You do that, consistently. Bravo

it’s always the insecure ones that hate. LOL

“Observation is an art form that must be mastered.” I love the contempt you pour on the system, from the “Marshmallow figures” bowing to a “corporate bastard,” to the reality of censored voices. The final, detached image of “Strumming an old guitar while watching humans play” is the perfect, chilling exit from the chaos. Brilliant and perceptive.

I read this in a minor key….
Great work.

Art is an art. It takes a good eye and connection to emotions. But some treat it as a product. Like Lionel Richie said ‘there are creative artists and created artists’.

Great ink friend

Preach it, in rhymes! Well delivered in a poetic voice that stays to the front of our brains. awesome words Damian.

I hear you on this one, Damian. Nice work.

Brilliant imagery. Excellent.

The games people play are often cruel and thoughtless, and more often they don’t even give their own opinion. Like marionettes, they do and repeat what others tell them. We all should begin to be more authentic and have meaningful and responsible conversations for the sake of all persons involved.
A brilliant socially critical poem, dear Damian!

Well thought out and well executed. Marvelous write Damian.

I think most poets, indeed most writers in general are people watchers at heart .. You just nailed us with this one sir .,. Write on brother .. Neville 😎👍

Please tell me this one might have a place on the album. This is what’s called a hole in one! Makes me think about how much chaos is visible of what “they’re” doing. It’s like the iceberg. What aren’t we meant to see? That’s the shit that keeps me up nights. Eyes on honesty, as always, my friend

“Plastic people are always asking for motivation” I like the message on this, as if some folks seek validation from others to feed ego. I’ve always thought the initial motivation should be intrinsic so as to have a solid foundation in our true worth. Maybe social media has watered down much of that.
Amazing work.