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)

The hands of an elder woman, dressed in black, holding a rosary while praying.
Her hair hung down in ashen curls, on skin all snowy white. Hazel eyes adorned her face, her collar buttoned tight. A rosary wrapped around her hands, on which countless prayers were raised, a gift from Mom, to a little girl, that lasted all her days. [continue] ...
: Change, Dark, Favorites, Love, Poems

The Waiting (a poem)

Teen girl behind barbed wired fence (Image: Wavebreakmedia Ltd.)
Constantly, you made me question myself. Relentlessly, you told me I was not enough. [continue] ...
: Dysphoria, Faith, Favorites, Growth, Intersex, Introspection, Learning, LGBTQIA+, Poems, Strength, Struggle, Transgender, Trust

How You Made Me Feel (a poem)

Recent Poetry

Recent [3] | All Poetry
View from inside a curling blue ocean wave toward the distant shoreline
The tide has turned on evil men. Their reign of terror at its end. (the third in a series) [continue] ...
: Abuse, Change, Community, Grief, Hope, Inspiration, Loss, Poems, Politics, Religion, Social Issues, Strength, Struggle, Trauma, Trust

The Tide Has Turned (a poem)

Frost-covered graves in a desolate cemetery with leaning tombstones and barbed wire in the background.
We all take our grave at the end of our days. Dreams left unfinished as the body decays …lying silent as children play. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Change, Dark, Expectations, Fears, Growth, Inspiration, Introspection, Learning, Legacy, Poems, Struggle, Transition, Truth, Uncertainty

What is to come? (a poem)

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)

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)

Dreamstime 82661424 2048x850
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 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)

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)

The words "Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion" are revealed on white paper, behind torn and peeled purple paper in the foreground.
9 things we can do to be better allies. (1,595 words) [continue] ...
: Articles, Change, Faves, Growth, Introspection, Learning, Social Issues

A Beginner’s Guide for Allies

 

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