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
Sunlight illuminates a group of twisting trees that form a canopy above a paved path. The Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland.
Each moment, although a mere fraction of time, contains a lifetime lived. [continue] ...
: Change, Christian, Favorites, Inspiration, Poems

One Such Life (a poem)

Image Credit: "Little girl and open book" from Kevin Carden
I relish the feeling of crisp new pages, the scent of ink in the air. Some, may speak of enchanted places. A handsome prince, a maiden fair. [continue] ...
: Books, Community, Favorites, Friendship, Growth, Inspiration, Learning, Poems, Poetry, Writing

The Bookstore (a poem)

Sunflower
I am not what your words declare me to be. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Change, Expectations, Favorites, Growth, Hope, Inspiration, Introspection, Learning, Poems, Pride, Strength, Truth

Redefined (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 red-eyed businessman with steam coming out of his ears.
Foreign governments, bots, trolls, scammers, and paid actors are attempting and, in some cases, succeeding in undermining our country by further dividing us. (567 words) [continue] ...
: Abuse, Articles, Change, Community, Diversity, Drama, Fears, Growth, Introspection, Learning, Politics, Social Issues, Struggle, Trauma, Trust

A Deeper Look (article)

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 woman stands on a long, wooden dock that stretches out into the distance. She is wearing a lightweight, ivory-colored jacket, striped stockings, and a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor, All Star, high-top sneakers. With both hands, she holds an old suitcase in front of her. It is made of light brown leather, is water-stained, and has a handful of torn and worn out pieces of travel stickers stuck to its front. One of the matching, leather securing straps is missing.
I started looking deep inside. Finding ways to let down my guard and be true to who I am instead of running and hiding from myself. (695 words) [continue] ...
: Articles, Change, Christian, Friendship, Growth, Introspection, Love, Social Issues, Struggle, Trust

Who Am I? (article)

 

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