Whether you have arrived here with intentionality or by sheer happenstance, I celebrate your arrival to my (both literal and figurative) domain. You now find yourself in the not-quite-hallowed halls of the grand repository of my nonsensical ramblings, thoughtful diatribes, and therapeutic musings.

My hope is for you to feel a sense of connection. If you find yourself relating to or moved by one of my pieces, please grace me with a comment or two to let me know how I am doing.

I implore thee, impart upon me thy words.

Like most artists, my cravings include caffeine, excessive wordplay, structure that I can both follow and ignore, and thoughtful feedback, which helps me to better understand the ways people connect with my writings.

Have an enjoyable stay.



~ elr

Poetry Favorites

Randomized [3] | My Personal Favorites
An empty school hallway with rust-colored, painted student lockers and yellow-beige walls. A single tan, covered garbage can sits aside one of the walls.
Another family dinner. Another empty room. Another grieving parent. Another lost too soon. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Anaphoric, Community, Diversity, Enby, Favorites, Grief, LGBTQIA+, Loss, Nonbinary, Poems, Politics, Social Issues, Struggle

Another… (an anaphoric poem)

A colorful ocean wave crests as a sunset illuminates the wave against a backdrop of beautiful clouds.
The poet's palette, an ocean of words. She covers the canvas, with notions absurd. [continue] ...
: Favorites, Poems, Poetry, Writing

Canvas Obscured (a poem)

The picturesque autumn view of a beautiful golden sunrise. A dense fog covers a mountain valley with gold-colored trees lining the foreground.
everything is here for but a moment like a whisper half-spoken nearly existing vanishing in the soft light of a new day [continue] ...
: Change, Favorites, Grief, Loss, Poems, Struggle

whispers (a poem)

Recent Poetry

Recent [3] | All Poetry
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I see myself in the story of a beautifully unique woman who never quite fits the mold of societal expectations, and the beast who holds her captive within the near impeneterable walls of an enchanted castle. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Change, Fears, Growth, Hope, Hurt, Introspection, Learning, Poems, Social Issues, Strength, Struggle, Transgender, Transition

The Deal (a poem)

She knows just how to cheer me up. a senior woman and her adult daughter dancing together at home.
Hey Mom, If you were still here… [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Change, Expectations, Family, Fears, Grief, Growth, Hope, Hurt, Inspiration, Intersex, Introspection, Learning, Legacy, LGBTQIA+, Lonely, Loss, Love, Poems, Strength, Struggle, Transgender, Transition, Truth, Uncertainty

Thoughts in the Stillness (a poem)

Dreamstime 157347705 2048x850 flip
You think you know me. [continue] ...
: Change, Expectations, Fears, Growth, Hurt, Introspection, Learning, Legacy, Loss, Poems, Struggle, Uncertainty

You think (a poem)

Recent Articles

Recent [3] | All Articles | Top Articles
Music concert, hands raised in the shape of the heart for the music, blurred crowd and artists on stage in the background with blue spotlights
Remember the artist, band, writer, poet, actor, or comedian who touched your heart, brightened your day, helped you through a rough patch, altered your view of the world or how you saw yourself? Remember that artist who affected you so much that it changed your life? (392 words) [continue] ...
: Art, Articles, Books, Change, Growth, Hope, Inspiration, Introspection, Learning, Strength, Struggle, Trust, Writing

Fond Memories (article)

Christian fundamentalist campaigns in park. A Christian calls on the public to repent for their sins because they believe the second coming of Jesus is imminent in a park in Albany, New York ALBANY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - Jun 09, 2020
Blasting people with scripture and judgments then walking away, leaves behind nothing but animosity and contempt... (641 words) [continue] ...
: Abuse, Articles, Change, Christianity, Community, Diversity, Drama, Fears, Growth, Introspection, Learning, Politics, Social Issues, Struggle, Trauma, Trust

Poor Timing (article)

Des Moines, IA, USA - 10-18-2025: No Kings Protest community crowd
Americans have spent 250 years working tirelessly to build a nation that can withstand hardship... (307 words) [continue] ...
: Abuse, Articles, Change, Community, Diversity, Drama, Fears, Growth, Introspection, Learning, Politics, Social Issues, Struggle, Trauma, Trust

Rise (article)

Recent Thoughts

Recent [3] | All Thoughts
Panic attack in public place. Woman having panic disorder in cit
Most of my life, I have been chasing approval. [continue] ...
: Art, Growth, Introspection, Learning, Nature, Thoughts, Writing

Chasing Approval (thoughts)

Close up of the face of a woman who lies in bed her head is hidden under the covers
Just when I think I’m at a point where I’m okay and can finally start moving forward, someone casually or incendiarily hurls those three words, burning me to the core. [continue] ...
: Change, Drama, Family, Fears, Grief, Growth, Hurt, Introspection, Learning, Lonely, Loss, Social Issues, Struggle, Thoughts

Today, I realized. (thoughts)

Close-up of a lioness, open-mouthed, roaring, teeth bared in the light rain.
They have seen it all and stood strong despite the pushback. They have the scars to show for it, but they also have resilience. [continue] ...
: Big Thoughts, Change, Community, Growth, Hope, Inspiration, Learning, Social Issues, Strength, Struggle, Thoughts, Trust

On Days Like Today (thoughts)

Recent Stories

Recent [3] | All Stories | Shorts | Novellas
A man preparing to drive a white, painted finishing nail into a board with a hammer while his left hand supports the nail. A ladder, shop benches and tools are visible in the background.
In 1984, I decided to pierce my left ear. I did it myself with a bag of ice, a sterilized needle, and a bar of soap. (492 words) [read] ...
: Growth, Inspiration, Learning, Love, Short Stories, Stories, Struggle, Trust

The Earring

A bright red umbrella site alone on an aged European, wet, gray brick street. Overlay of pianist playing piano.
Pianist and Composer, Jason Fervento asked, "How does this song make you feel?" (107 words) [read] ...
: Change, Fiction, Learning, Loss, Love, Short Stories, Stories, Struggle, Trust, Vignette

I Stand Alone (a vignette)

A monochrome image of snow falling softly on a line of wood and cast-iron benches that line the sidewalk in a New York City park. In the background, old buildings stretch into the distance.
Sometimes the warmth we need comes from an unexpected place. A novella (10,025 words). [read] ...
: Drama, Fiction, Grief, Hope, LGBTQIA+, Loss, Novellas, Slice of Life, Stories, Struggle, Transgender

Cold

Topics

Randomized [3] | Search All Posts by Topic
School kid bullies sit on a brick stairway above a boy who is seated, with his head against a brick wall. The victim's expression shows feelings of rejection and ridicule.
Remember the ones you passed in the hall never stopping to talk or know them at all? The awkward kid who didn’t fit in tried to make friends but just couldn’t win? [continue] ...
: Change, Christian, Growth, Inspiration, Intersex, Introspection, Learning, Poems, Struggle, Transgender

To those who never read me. (a poem)

Full Solar Eclipse, photographed August 21, 2017, as viewed from Columbia, South Carolina.
We are all affected by a solar eclipse in ways great and small, but I never expected this. (1,330 words) [continue] ...
: Change, Learning, Michigan, Nature, Riddle, Strength, Thoughts

Unexpected effects of the solar eclipse (article)

Billows of smoke still flow from the head of a thoroughly burnt wooden match.
Some poems rage through me like a flame across a matchhead. While others must be plucked, word by excruciating word, from my flesh. [continue] ...
: Poems, Writing

As the muse sees fit (a poem)

 

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