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
A close-up photo of the right side of the front of a redheaded caucasian woman's face with her eye closed, blinking.
An hour lasts forever. A lifetime’s just a blink. The time it takes to get there is never what you think. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Change, Favorites, Growth, Hope, Inspiration, Introspection, Learning, Lonely, Loss, Love, Poems, Struggle

Blink (a poem)

A dying tree, its bark peeling, exposes the dried-out trunk beneath. It is the first in a long row of chestnut trees that line a country road.
Looking at trees that line the drive while long in perdition my heart it cries Enclosed in its wounds her visage it lies the inside is dead not but skin left alive [continue] ...
: Favorites, Introspection, Poems

Trees (a poem)

The hands of an elder woman, dressed in black, holding a rosary while praying.
Her hair hung down in ashen curls, on skin all snowy white. Hazel eyes adorned her face, her collar buttoned tight. A rosary wrapped around her hands, on which countless prayers were raised, a gift from Mom, to a little girl, that lasted all her days. [continue] ...
: Change, Dark, Favorites, Love, Poems

The Waiting (a poem)

Recent Poetry

Recent [3] | All Poetry
Two children walk hand in hand down a dirt path through a golden wheat field, seen from behind.
Since the beginning, my friend, you have been with me, inseparable through it all. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Change, Growth, Hope, Introspection, Learning, Poems, Strength, Struggle, Truth

… (a letter)

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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)

Recent Articles

Recent [3] | All Articles | Top Articles
Two stacked electronic keyboards on a wooden shelf against a red brick wall, with ship models and books on the shelves nearby.
Though my parents hadn’t encouraged me in the pursuit of my dreams, my friend showed that he believed in me, and that sometimes we may need to pivot. (1,436 words) [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Art, Articles, Change, Expectations, Fears, Growth, Hope, Inspiration, Introspection, Learning, Strength, Struggle, Writing

Set the Past Aside (article)

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I know the world is a scary place right now. I will not sugar coat that fact. (478 words) [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Art, Articles, Change, Expectations, Fears, Growth, Hope, Inspiration, Introspection, Learning, Strength, Struggle, Writing

Business advice for me, from me. (article)

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

Lessons We Learn (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)

Today, I realized. (thoughts)
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
Side view of an upset female student wearing jeans and a lavender hoodie. Sitting on an outdoor cement stairway, she leans against the wall beside it, her hands holding the side of her head in anguish.
I’m the invisible girl, nobody knows exists, visible only to myself. I shrink from view, strategically blending into the background. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Acrostic, Change, Growth, Hope, Inspiration, Introspection, Learning, Lonely, Poems, Strength, Struggle, Transgender, Trust

Invisible (an acrostic poem)

A young woman lies inside a large book, using a branch to prop it open, and reads by flashlight under a night sky.
I woke up around three o’clock in the morning, again. This time it was with the realization that I, or at least the characters in my stories, live in the past. (393 words) [continue] ...
: Articles, Change, Growth, Introspection, Learning, Writing

Did I just have an epiphany? I think I did. (article)

Cracked sidewalk concrete with a woman's fist breaking through from below.
He has a way of exploiting my weakness [continue] ...
: Acrostic, Change, Growth, Inspiration, Poems, Strength, Struggle

Hell & Back (an acrostic poem)

 

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