By Benjamin Grossman and Cassa Bassa
Her emerald beauty circled his upright being
She stretched her sublime allure to capture the snow
He felt the weight in totality
It exceeded what he could possibly endure
Most days there was a smokey haze between them
And this fog formed uneven walls
With tiny openings just wide enough
To let toxic fumes leak through
In desperation, she let out her slow poison
He turned himself inside out to survive
But was never the same man as before
Nor she the same woman
They had interwoven like a tree wrapped in vines
They wanted to thrive under any conditions
That’s what all lovers long to do
Tragically they couldn’t harness the moonlight
Nor grow within the embers of dying flames
(This is part of a collaborative poetic effort between myself and Cassa Bassa. Make sure you check out her blog by visiting Flicker Of Thoughts. She’s a favorite poetess of mine.)
Benjamin Grossman 
Beautiful collaboration 💜💜💜👏👏👏
Thanks so much!
It has been a growing experience in working together Ben. I am grateful!
Likewise. You’re a good poetry partner.
🙌
🙌
Wonderful Collaboration Benjamin! The readers get to experience the best of both writers together 🙂
Thanks. It was fun working together and easy.
I love the description in this poem! 👏
Many thanks.
You’re welcome 🙂
So very wonderful, especially the first stanza. I love the symbiotic tree/parasite theme, I have often studied it and wondered at it in nature. Lovely dance of poetic partnership! 🙏🤩💚🌿
Thanks! Though I’ll have to give my poetic partner more of the credit for this wonderful idea. And you’re right that’s a very interesting relationship. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
No worries. Best wishes!
This is good poetry Benjamin and Cassa Bassa! It feels raw and honest. Neatly titled overambitious love. Well done 🙌
Thanks a lot! I’m glad to be a part of this one.
Beautifully written by the pair of you. Cheers to a very fine collab.
Thanks for that!
You are welcome, both of you.
Very lovely! The last stanza is gorgeous. ♥️
Big thanks!
Wow – nice collaboration. 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Honestly, I had to re-read to get it. Then it dawned how beautifully written this is. 🙂
Sure, that makes sense. I think it has an abstract feel to it in parts. Thanks a lot 🙂
Wow, magical work by two of you together…
Thanks! Thanks!
This is some phenomenal poetry! I really like the title, too. Excellent collaboration
Thanks. Truly.