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 small, pink flower grows up between the unfinished, wood planks of a home deck.
I flay myself on the altar of art, cut down to the bone, break every last part. I write it on paper, type it into my phone, share it with the world, and feel utterly alone. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Art, Change, Community, Favorites, Growth, Hope, Inspiration, Introspection, Poems, Poet, Poetry, Pride, Readings, Struggle, Trust

Is anyone listening? (a poem)

A wide path, strewn with fallen autumn leaves, divides into two paths that diverge in different directions. Autumn landscape.
The promise kept them, hope sustained them, every day a little less. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Acrostic, Change, Drama, Favorites, Friendship, Grief, Growth, Hope, Learning, Loss, Love, Poems, Struggle, Transition, Trust

The Divorce. (an acrostic poem)

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)

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
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
Viewed from above, 15 wooden figurines, made from white pine, stand atop a table. They are surrounding a single red figurine, which is lying on its side amongst them. The image represents bullying, harassment and loneliness.
I have been thinking, a lot, the last two days—about who I want to be in this moment. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Change, Community, Diversity, Family, Fears, Growth, Hope, Hurt, Intersex, Introspection, Learning, Poems, Politics, Riddle, Social Issues, Strength, Struggle, Transgender, Transition, Trust

When I look
 (a poem)

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)

A diverse group of people wait in line to vote at a local polling location.
After the last vote has been cast and the election is decided, the real work begins. (813 words) [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Articles, Change, Community, Diversity, Friendship, Growth, Inspiration, Love, Politics, Pride, Social Issues, Strength, Struggle, Trust

One. (article)

 

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