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
Angel of Grief Statue. A beautifully carved statue of an angel with her head down, forehead on her crossed arm, weeping in utter grief.
words have always, ALWAYS been here for me. yet, now, in this moment, they bring no comfort... [continue] ...
: Favorites, Grief, Loss, Poems, Struggle

without (a poem)

A garden of purple, pink, and white sweet pea flowers beside a trellis, with a single red rose blooming among them.
The beauty of a rose, wrapped tight within the vines, upon my trellis waiting, just waiting for her time. Bursting open, petals stretch unto the light of day. Exploding colors all around, for Spring has come to stay. [continue] ...
: Change, Favorites, Growth, Inspiration, Introspection, Nature, Poems, Transgender, Transition

In silence she blooms (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
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 shattered shop window shows signs of an attempted burglary.
The bullies carried baseball bats wrapped in chain and tape. Now they use both laws and lies to hit us with their hate. [continue] ...
: Change, Growth, Hope, Inspiration, Introspection, Learning, Lonely, Poems, Strength, Struggle, Transgender, Trust

Help (a poem)

Deadvlei in the first light of the sunrise. A white clay floor, a large orange-pink dune, and an old acacia tree. An African landscape from Sossusvlei, Namib Desert, Namibia, Southern Africa. Red sand floor backed by the biggest sand dune in the world.
Like every fool that has lived, I tried to ignore, move on, forward. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Change, Grief, Growth, Introspection, Loss, Poems, Struggle

Straight into Tomorrow (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)

 

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