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
Teen girl behind barbed wired fence (Image: Wavebreakmedia Ltd.)
Constantly, you made me question myself. Relentlessly, you told me I was not enough. [continue] ...
: Dysphoria, Faith, Favorites, Growth, Intersex, Introspection, Learning, LGBTQIA+, Poems, Strength, Struggle, Transgender, Trust

How You Made Me Feel (a poem)

Sunlight illuminates a group of twisting trees that form a canopy above a paved path. The Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland.
Each moment, although a mere fraction of time, contains a lifetime lived. [continue] ...
: Change, Christian, Favorites, Inspiration, Poems

One Such Life (a poem)

A garden of purple, pink, and white sweet pea flowers beside a trellis, with a single red rose blooming among them.
The beauty of a rose, wrapped tight within the vines, upon my trellis waiting, just waiting for her time. Bursting open, petals stretch unto the light of day. Exploding colors all around, for Spring has come to stay. [continue] ...
: Change, Favorites, Growth, Inspiration, Introspection, Nature, Poems, Transgender, Transition

In silence she blooms (a poem)

Recent Poetry

Recent [3] | All Poetry
Open vintage book with a dried rose resting on its pages, outdoors against a green background
It’s easy to catch and hard to let go. You’ve got the itch? Well, what do you know. [continue] ...
: Art, Books, Inspiration, Poems, Poet, Poetry, Writing

Affliction (a poem)

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)

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
Collage of poetry-themed images arranged in a grid, framed by an ornate gold frame. Includes open books, a word cloud of poetry terms, and writing objects.
I did a search for an image to accompany my latest poem, and these were the results. [continue] ...
: Art, Books, Expectations, Inspiration, Introspection, Photo, Poet, Poetry, Social Issues, Struggle, Thoughts, Writing

Another Trope (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)

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
A man, painted silver with splashes of red, lies on a red velvet blanket. His left hand presses a soft, plush red velvet heart, with pearled golden trim, against his chest.
Thoughtless words can often hurt and even bring a tear to the eye of one we love a heart that we hold dear [continue] ...
: Introspection, Poems

My Words (a poem)

A young woman holds in her hand a piece of yellow, lined, spiral-bound notepad paper with the words "Always stay humble and kind" printed on it in black, block letters. Photographed on a medium brown background.
Pretty is on the outside, but Beauty comes from within. [continue] ...
: Introspection, Random, Thoughts

within (thoughts)

A woman dancing at the beach as the sun goes down over Bali, as seen from Gili, Indonesia.
Ever speaking of future, my dreams I would share. Oh the things I'd accomplish, when I arrived there. When at last I looked back, it was then I did find, my life was created, one day at a time. [continue] ...
: Favorites, Inspiration, Poems

Only Today (a poem)

 

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