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 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)

My Transgender Agenda (a poem)
In light of recent events, I thought I’d come clean and share… My Trans Agenda. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Change, Christianity, Community, Diversity, Faith, Favorites, Fears, Grief, Growth, Hope, Inspiration, Introspection, Learning, LGBTQIA+, Poems, Politics, Social Issues, Strength, Struggle

My Transgender Agenda (a poem)

An open book, with pages extended upward, lies on a light-colored wooden desk. Sparkles, light, and smoke appear to be coming from within it.
Enjoying the beauty of meter and rhyme, a poem revealed inscribing each line. One day I'll be lost to the passage of time, but dreams will live on in this poem of mine. [continue] ...
: Favorites, Introspection, Poems, Poetry, Writing

Enjoying the beauty (a poem)

Recent Poetry

Recent [3] | All Poetry
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)

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)

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
The glow of a distant city beneath a desert sky full of stars.
i am the words i speak, i’m the things i do, i’m not how i look, or the things i accrue. you try to define me with the simplest of words but i’m far beyond that, though you think it absurd. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Change, Family, Friendship, Growth, Hope, Intersex, Introspection, Learning, LGBTQIA+, Love, Nature, Poems, Poet, Poetry, Politics, Pride, Social Issues, Struggle, Transgender, Transition, Trust

Core (a poem)

Intersex symbol on a watercolor PRIDE flag.
When we marginalize someone, we marginalize everyone like them, and in doing so, create hardships for others who do not fit perceived standards and, in some cases, negatively affect even those who do. (4,568 words) [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Change, Christianity, Community, Diversity, Dysphoria, Faith, Family, Friendship, Growth, Hope, Hurt, Inspiration, Intersex, Introspection, Learning, Loss, Nonbinary, Politics, Religion, Social Issues, Speeches, Strength, Struggle, Transgender, Transition, Trauma, Trust, Truth

Intersex Awareness Day, expanded (speech)

A stork and gulls sit atop the rubbish in a public landfill.
I live on land that is not mine. Her people, long departed, left not a trace. Their legacy, a world in balance. I am not like them. [continue] ...
: Change, Grief, Growth, Introspection, Learning, Loss, Nature, Poems, Politics, Social Issues, Struggle, Transition, ᎠᏂᏴᏫᏯ, ᏗᎪᏪᎵᏍᎩ ᎧᏃᎮᎸᏍᎩ

A Mother’s Day (a poem)

 

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