Much Obliged

      You know I haven’t written in a collaboration since close to two years ago. I’ve said many times on here I used to do a lot of songwriting with an old buddy until we had a falling out. Then there was getting healthy, and ending the long journey with booze. Then I came here to DU. And started over, took a chance I still could do this thing it is we do. I watch to many mobster movies, I know. lol.
 
       Collaborations are an art form in my opinion. It requires trust and compromise, a certain etiquette that writer’s often possess and share in each other’s company. Because from one gun slinger to another it’s a professional courtesy, a showing of respect and admiration. That my fellow poets/poetesses is kinda what we are, the way we’re built so to speak. Instead of guns our weapons are words.  
 
      Know I know what some of your are thinking: Damian, you just wrote on Vision’s 1000th write, are you stoned? I do remember that and I was honored to be a part of it. When Keith asked me to collaborate on that write two things went through my mind. One, I was truly caught off guard but honored that he asked. Two, I was nervous on what to do, or how to reply.
 
      Do I dare accept? Am I still capable of carrying my end of the couch? Are my chops where they need to be? If I decline will I ever get asked again. A whirlwind of thoughts and emotions are running through my mind, folks. Luckily for me I realized I hadn’t read the whole message yet. Because, when I read on he explained that other DU writers were going to be on the piece.  
 
      Now I’m thinking well that’s a different slant so to speak. Turns out it would be 8 other brilliant writers, and me. But I didn’t know how many it would be at the time. So let me get this straight in my minds eye. There are other writers, I don’t have to carry my half of the couch because it’s a group effort. I’m leaning towards accepting the offer for sure at that point.
 
      Then one last fear creeped inside my soul. What if I don’t deliver? What if I’m not on my game? Then my muse, as she often does decided to speak up. Went something like this: “You’re Damian “Fucking” DeadLove, stop pussyfooting around and jump back in the fold.” “No more baby steps, sink or swim!”
 
      Figuratively speaking of course. Since I can’t swim, I think it was in poor taste. But I made the leap of course. And I loved the way that write turned out, and was proud to be a part of it. All of you are extremely talented, and all the reviews in the comments made me feel like I hung in there. lol.  
 
      I bring this up because I love collaborating but I also realize I had to work my way back to it, on my terms. My reluctance was out of the mental trauma that was based in some residual demons needing to be cleansed. That partnership of thirty plus years of collaborating almost lost me my sanity. Because it ended on a sour note, musical humor, folks. lol.
 
      But this write isn’t going to end that way. I decided to throw an idea out in the ether tonight. I wrote a four line verse and asked another writer here on DU to collaborate. Will they accept? I don’t know the answer to that just yet. I just sent it before I started this write. So stay tuned.
 
      I’m back in the game. No more restrictions, no more scrutiny. I finally slayed the ghost that was haunting my soul. The one that made me question my ability to do the thing I love most. Thanks to you, all my brothers and sisters here on DU, you helped me get my love of being creative back. Much Obliged.