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
Neglected tombstones at an old graveyard in the midst of a foggy Spring morning in Southern Michigan.
Swirling, twisting, turning thoughts, where life and imagined meet. Long forgotten graveyard plots, and grass beneath my feet. [continue] ...
: Dark, Favorites, Introspection, Poems

In Morning Mists (a poem)

A woman in mourning, in a black coat and dress, with a black umbrella and a single red flower in her hand, faces a cemetery in Fall.
Beneath the black umbrella tops their hearts beat in time with each and every falling drop of rain against the pine. TW: Death [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Change, Dark, Drama, Favorites, Grief, Hope, Introspection, Learning, Loss, Love, Poems, Struggle, Transition

Shadows and Rain (a poem)

Image Credit: "Little girl and open book" from Kevin Carden
I relish the feeling of crisp new pages, the scent of ink in the air. Some, may speak of enchanted places. A handsome prince, a maiden fair. [continue] ...
: Books, Community, Favorites, Friendship, Growth, Inspiration, Learning, Poems, Poetry, Writing

The Bookstore (a poem)

Recent Poetry

Recent [3] | All Poetry
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The river she flows deep tonight, her banks are overrun, washing away the heaviness, collapsing ’neath the flood. [continue] ...
: Change, Drama, Introspection, Learning, Loss, Love, Poems, Strength, Struggle

The River Flows Deep (a poem)

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How much does one have to suffer before we accept them on our shores? Is their pain enough to satisfy us, the gatekeepers of freedom? [continue] ...
: Abuse, Change, Christianity, Community, Fears, Grief, Introspection, Learning, Loss, Poems, Politics, Religion, Social Issues, Struggle, Trauma

Our Christian Nation (a poem)

Soft cloud background with colorful.
It’s an age old story, one that is not mine alone. [continue] ...
: Drama, Introspection, Learning, Loss, Poems, Strength, Struggle

I was soft (a poem)

Recent Articles

Recent [3] | All Articles | Top Articles
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We can stay true to ourselves in the midst of their pressure. (763 words) [continue] ...
: Articles

Lessons We Learn (article)

Looking through blinds
...the result was the same...my problems were still there, staring me in the face. (732 words) [continue] ...
: Articles, Change, Christianity, Community, Diversity, Drama, Fears, Growth, Introspection, Learning, Politics, Social Issues, Struggle, Trauma, Trust

Perspectives in Coping (article)

Music concert, hands raised in the shape of the heart.
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)

Recent Thoughts

Recent [3] | All Thoughts
Sad woman surrounded by people walking on a busy street.
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
An abstract painting. Colorful red, yellow, blue, green, violet, purple, orange, white, black, and pink strokes create a distorted, grungy, authentic aesthetic feel.
Celebrate what we have been given: this immeasurable gift of expression... [continue] ...
: Growth, Inspiration, Introspection, Learning, Poems, Poetry, Writing

To All My Fellow Poets (a poem)

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)

A book lies open on a moss-covered stump in a forest. From its pages appear three sparkling, bird-like apparitions of pages flying away into the daylight.
Within Every Single Word Lies Strength.

 Opening Minds Revealing Hearts Long Stagnant. [continue] ...
: Change, Growth, Hope, Inspiration, Learning, Poems, Strength, Writing

Words (a poem)

 

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