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 3D rendering of a darkened child's room at night. A red alarm clock sits atop a book beside a lamp on the nightstand, illuminating part of the room. The blanket and sheet are pulled down, and the bed lies empty save for two pillows and a teddy bear. From beneath the bed, two tentacles reach out.
Awakened again, unable to sleep, for the stirrings below of leviathans deep. [continue] ...
: Dark, Favorites, Introspection, Poems, Writing

Three A.M. (a poem)

Image Credit: "Cotswold side yard at Greenfield Village" by E.L. Redwine
Today I rose before my eyes could see. To keep them closed is just stupidity. With all the struggle that’s in front of me, feet hit the floor. The morning paper smacks me in the face. Sometimes this world can be an awful place. Lost my faith in the human race. Then I look next door. [continue] ...
: Favorites, Introspection, Poems

Greener (a poem)

The picturesque autumn view of a beautiful golden sunrise. A dense fog covers a mountain valley with gold-colored trees lining the foreground.
everything is here for but a moment like a whisper half-spoken nearly existing vanishing in the soft light of a new day [continue] ...
: Change, Favorites, Grief, Loss, Poems, Struggle

whispers (a poem)

Recent Poetry

Recent [3] | All Poetry
Woman wearing a black top holding a blue magnifying glass and red flashlight, looking puzzled as she inspects something off-screen.
We all have a babysitter, she's not family, per se. She moved into our home and it seems she's here to stay. [continue] ...
: Abuse, Change, Community, Learning, Poems, Religion, Social Issues, Trust

Auntie Social (a poem)

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)

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 single wall and turret of Mow Cop Castle as seen from below, against a cloudy blue sky, on a rocky hillside in the Biddulph valley in the county of Staffordshire.
the first brick fell the wall soon followed the inside shown as not but hollow [continue] ...
: Change, Poems, Slam

once tall (a 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)

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)

 

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