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 tropical storm is coming across the crystaline-blue ocean in Barbados.
A heavy storm is brewing, out on horizon's line. Panic sets as we worry how, to prepare ourselves in time. [continue] ...
: Abuse, Change, Community, Favorites, Fears, Grief, Hope, Inspiration, LGBTQIA+, Loss, Poems, Politics, Religion, Social Issues, Strength, Struggle, Transgender, Trauma, Trust

The Coming Storm (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)

An empty school hallway with rust-colored, painted student lockers and yellow-beige walls. A single tan, covered garbage can sits aside one of the walls.
Another family dinner. Another empty room. Another grieving parent. Another lost too soon. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Anaphoric, Community, Diversity, Enby, Favorites, Grief, LGBTQIA+, Loss, Nonbinary, Poems, Politics, Social Issues, Struggle

Another… (an anaphoric poem)

Recent Poetry

Recent [3] | All Poetry
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)

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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)

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
A handwritten sketched note, which reads, "What gives my life meaning?" written in blue ink on a white paper napkin, with a cup of espresso coffee and a silver pen, sitting on a worn, blue-painted wooden table.
You may not be able to change the whole world, but you can change yours. [continue] ...
: Introspection, Random, Thoughts

change. (thoughts)

Worn wooden pews and colorful windows line the center aisle of a little old church. Taken at First Methodist Church of Jermyn. NOTE: this church was built in 1910. In 1968, it was designated as a Texas Historic Landmark.
Do you think it’s really so simple, that everything is just black or white? Pitting your morals against us, it’s not a question of who’s wrong or right. You cast judgment without understanding, while your foundation is crumbling away. Believing you’re walking above us, when your morals are deep in decay. [continue] ...
: Change, Christian, Growth, Lyrics, Strength, Struggle, Transgender, Trust

Kickin’ Stones (lyrics)

An oil painting with flowers and trees. A small tree is planted beside a blue river with reeds along its banks.
this small tree kicked and trampled fragile and scarred a life just begun [continue] ...
: Christian, Poems

the Tree In our Midst (a poem)

 

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