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 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)

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)

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
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 young couple is sitting on a gray couch with green pillows, during an argument. The woman is looking away, with a stern expression on her face. The man is looking at her with his mouth agape, eyes wide, arms bent at the elbow with palms up, as if to say, "What did I say?!" This image is isolated on white background
“Just sayin'” never is. [continue] ...
: Learning, Social Issues, Thoughts

Just Sayin’ (thoughts)

From less than a foot away, a man wearing black-framed glasses, a white dress shirt, and a red bow tie shouts through a loudspeaker at a woman wearing a flowered top, causing her hair to fly backward from the force of the sound.
One voice. One mind. One nation. One people, divided. [continue] ...
: Anaphoric, Change, Community, Introspection, Poems, Politics, Struggle, Trust

One Voice (an anaphoric poem)

A blue-gray brain and a red heart, both made of yarn, are connected by a knot between them—an image on a white background representing the connection between the heart and mind.
When the heart and mind are divided, the will determines the course. [continue] ...
: Introspection, Random, Thoughts

conflicted (thoughts)

 

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