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 quill pen and an ink well rest on an old, open book in a library.
Let us begin to write with colour. Measuring beats with the stroke of a pen. Not all are meant to share with another, but help us recall lost moments again. [continue] ...
: Favorites, Poems, Poetry, Writing

Poets (a poem)

A man sits alone in a darkened restaurant, waiting for his date to arrive. His head is down, and his hands are crossed on the table in front of him. A half-melted candle, a half-empty glass of wine, and his cell phone sit on the table in front of him.
Scents of countless delicacies combine. Enticements abounding. Sounding china and silver sit atop the din. Conversation flourishing. [continue] ...
: 3-in-1, Change, Favorites, Friendship, Introspection, Poems, Slice of Life, Struggle

The Din (a 3-in-1 poem)

Black smoke in the shape of a side portrait of a woman's face. The black tendrils of smoke create the feeling of long wavy hair blowing in the wind. Double exposure.
This is one of those awkward moments, we all have them and yet in the midst of it I feel so foolish, exposed, helpless, and alone. [continue] ...
: Change, Favorites, Fears, Friendship, Grief, Growth, Hurt, Introspection, Learning, Lonely, Loss, Poems, Social Issues, Struggle, Trust

Awkward Moments (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
Person wearing a cream striped robe standing near calm water, hand resting at the side (no face shown).
I have seen too much to believe in them anymore. I have lost my faith. (417 words) [continue] ...
: Abuse, Acceptance, Articles, Change, Christian, Christianity, Expectations, Faith, Grief, Growth, Hope, Inspiration, Introspection, Learning, Loss, Love, Religion, Social Issues, Strength, Struggle, Trust

Faith Redefined (article)

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)

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 lonely woman sits alone in the back row of an empty movie theater. The orange/red seats are illuminated, from above, by a yellow light.
Surrounded by people, blind to the tension. This patchwork relationship, this marriage of convenience, is falling apart. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Change, Fears, Growth, Hope, Hurt, Introspection, Learning, Poems, Social Issues, Strength, Struggle, Transgender, Transition

What it feels like (a poem)

A close-up view of the construction of a large wooden rollercoaster, taken from below. Light-brown steel rails sit atop a wood-encased steel structure.
The view from here is quite a sight. I grip in fear, as knuckles go white. Not letting go, I hold too tight. Afraid I’ll fall from this dizzying height. [continue] ...
: Introspection, Poems

Stop this ride (a poem)

A male arm, clothed in white, reaches out to point his index finger at you. The white-skinned hand has a plain, gold wedding ring on its ring finger.
Blame the speed limit for the ticket, the intersection when it's run, and the law for the crime. Blame the bullet for the war, the knife for the cut, and the stone for the corpse. [continue] ...
: Anaphoric, Change, Favorites, Introspection, Poems, Social Issues

Blame (an anaphoric poem)

 

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