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 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)

A dying tree, its bark peeling, exposes the dried-out trunk beneath. It is the first in a long row of chestnut trees that line a country road.
Looking at trees that line the drive while long in perdition my heart it cries Enclosed in its wounds her visage it lies the inside is dead not but skin left alive [continue] ...
: Favorites, Introspection, Poems

Trees (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)

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
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
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
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)

A luxurious Chinese wood and brass jewelry box, with abalone inlay and a bird design in the center of each panel. The box is sitting on a weathered wooden table with an old dark brick wall in the background
If you live your life in a box, it really doesn’t matter how pretty it is on the outside. [continue] ...
: Introspection, Random, Struggle, Thoughts

observation from the inside (thoughts)

A yellow and black road sign, it shows a road curving to the left toward Humility and a caution symbol in the direction of Arrogance.
We all have weakness, strengths and abilities. How we handle them can make all the difference. [continue] ...
: Big Thoughts, Change, Christian, Growth, Introspection, Learning, Struggle, Thoughts, Trust

Thankful (thoughts)

 

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