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 macro image of a green grasshopper, with golden-brown legs, clinging to blades of grass in a field.
I am a dog lying in the doorway, a casual observer of clouds, filled with excitement, I run, spin, fall, arise, and do it again. I am an explorer of worlds, paddling down a stream. seeing old places as though new. filled with life and thought. [continue] ...
: Favorites, Growth, Learning, Nature, Poems, Slice of Life, Trust

Child (a poem)

A woman in a light mauve dress sits on the side of a grass-covered mountain in Switzerland. At the base of the mountain is a clear, pale blue lake.
Inspired I write. Tired I sleep. Stressed I can't. Lonely I weep. Enabled I do. Afraid I don't. Excited I thrive. Ordered I won't. [continue] ...
: Favorites, Introspection, Poems

When (a 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
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)

Dreamstime 1006287 2048x850
“Friends will come and go, but family is forever.” — Mom [continue] ...
: Change, Drama, Intersex, Introspection, Learning, Loss, Poems, Riddle, Slam, Strength, Struggle, Transgender, Transition

Hurting (a poem)

TV remote control. Searching through the channels.
We sit in comfort and watch them there, from the safe repose of our easy chair. [continue] ...
: Abuse, Change, Community, Fears, Grief, Introspection, Loss, Poems, Politics, Social Issues, Struggle, Trauma

American Lethargy (a poem)

Recent Articles

Recent [3] | All Articles | Top Articles
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)

A Christian holding a sign that says, "Repent. The Kingdom of God is near." Taken in ALBANY, NEW YORK, U.S.A. - Jun 09, 2020
Blasting people with scripture and judgments then walking away, leaves behind nothing but animosity and contempt... (641 words) [continue] ...
: Abuse, Articles, Change, Christianity, Community, Diversity, Drama, Fears, Growth, Introspection, Learning, Politics, Social Issues, Struggle, Trauma, Trust

Poor Timing (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
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)

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)

Out of tune and out of time. An old, broken-down piano with well-worn keys was found abandoned in a derelict Irish farmhouse.
Why do we employ pen and paper or, having been given words, dutifully put them to rhyme? Why do we apply oil to canvas, or form a masterpiece with not but sound? [continue] ...
: Inspiration, Poems, Writing

Why? (a poem)

 

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