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
Image Credit: "A boy in a superman costume runs across the green field at sunset" by megaalex11590
Heroes stand tall, for those who feel small, lifting their spirits to the sky. Lost courage regained, we move past the pain, never again asking why. [continue] ...
: Community, Favorites, Inspiration, Learning, Poems

Heroes (a poem)

A close-up photo of the right side of the front of a redheaded caucasian woman's face with her eye closed, blinking.
An hour lasts forever. A lifetime’s just a blink. The time it takes to get there is never what you think. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Change, Favorites, Growth, Hope, Inspiration, Introspection, Learning, Lonely, Loss, Love, Poems, Struggle

Blink (a poem)

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)

Recent Poetry

Recent [3] | All Poetry
Soft cloud background with colorful.
It’s an age old story, one that is not mine alone. [continue] ...
: Drama, Introspection, Learning, Loss, Poems, Strength, Struggle

I was soft (a poem)

Dreamstime 1006287 2048x850
“Friends will come and go, but family is forever.” — Mom [continue] ...
: Change, Drama, Intersex, Introspection, Learning, Loss, Poems, Riddle, Slam, Strength, Struggle, Transgender, Transition

Hurting (a poem)

TV remote control. Searching through the channels.
We sit in comfort and watch them there, from the safe repose of our easy chair. [continue] ...
: Abuse, Change, Community, Fears, Grief, Introspection, Loss, Poems, Politics, Social Issues, Struggle, Trauma

American Lethargy (a poem)

Recent Articles

Recent [3] | All Articles | Top Articles
Looking through blinds
...the result was the same...my problems were still there, staring me in the face. (732 words) [continue] ...
: Articles, Change, Christianity, Community, Diversity, Drama, Fears, Growth, Introspection, Learning, Politics, Social Issues, Struggle, Trauma, Trust

Perspectives in Coping (article)

Music concert, hands raised in the shape of the heart.
Remember the artist, band, writer, poet, actor, or comedian who touched your heart, brightened your day, helped you through a rough patch, altered your view of the world or how you saw yourself? Remember that artist who affected you so much that it changed your life? (392 words) [continue] ...
: Art, Articles, Books, Change, Growth, Hope, Inspiration, Introspection, Learning, Strength, Struggle, Trust, Writing

Fond Memories (article)

A Christian holding a sign that says, "Repent. The Kingdom of God is near." Taken in ALBANY, NEW YORK, U.S.A. - Jun 09, 2020
Blasting people with scripture and judgments then walking away, leaves behind nothing but animosity and contempt... (641 words) [continue] ...
: Abuse, Articles, Change, Christianity, Community, Diversity, Drama, Fears, Growth, Introspection, Learning, Politics, Social Issues, Struggle, Trauma, Trust

Poor Timing (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)

Close up of the face of a woman who lies in bed her head is hidden under the covers
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
The United States Declaration of Independence, lying on a wooden table, with an American flag casually draped across the table above it.
Liberty is having agency over one’s own destiny and decisions. Liberty cannot truly exist without the ability to govern what happens to and with one’s own body. (724 words) [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Articles, Change, Community, Diversity, Faves, Inspiration, Politics, Social Issues, Strength, Struggle, Transgender, Trust

Liberty (article)

The beautiful red and gold shimmerings of the rising sun streak across the stippled clouds, contrasting with the iridescent blue morning sky.
The beautiful morning sky assails my sleepy eyes. It stirs my soul as in days of ol’ when she brought a smile to thine. [continue] ...
: Change, Favorites, Inspiration, Limerick, Michigan, Nature, Poems

Morning Glory (a limerick)

A dirty book of music, with one page torn out, lies open against a window overlooking a wooded area, within an abandoned kindergarten in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
The sky is still blue, yet my happiness wanes. Under the weight of words, the melody strains. [continue] ...
: Change, Dark, Drama, Grief, Loss, Poems, Politics, Social Issues, Struggle

The Final Melody (a poem)

 

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