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 man sits alone in a darkened restaurant, waiting for his date to arrive. His head is down, and his hands are crossed on the table in front of him. A half-melted candle, a half-empty glass of wine, and his cell phone sit on the table in front of him.
Scents of countless delicacies combine. Enticements abounding. Sounding china and silver sit atop the din. Conversation flourishing. [continue] ...
: 3-in-1, Change, Favorites, Friendship, Introspection, Poems, Slice of Life, Struggle

The Din (a 3-in-1 poem)

A blurred and stylized image of business people walking through a city subway at rush hour.
Though starkly intimidated perhaps overly concerned with what others think still I reach out to you Creativity in search of comfort [continue] ...
: Favorites, Intersex, Introspection, Poems, Struggle, Transgender, Writing

That Which is Written (a poem)

A reclusive girl, in a red dress, sitting alone on a lone rock in the middle of a river, in the early morning
Everything’s already been said. There’s nothing left to say. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Art, Change, Community, Favorites, Growth, Hope, Inspiration, Introspection, Poems, Poet, Poetry, Readings, Struggle

Reasoning (a poem)

Recent Poetry

Recent [3] | All Poetry
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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)

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)

Recent Articles

Recent [3] | All Articles | Top Articles
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We can stay true to ourselves in the midst of their pressure. (763 words) [continue] ...
: Articles

Lessons We Learn (article)

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)

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
A black and white close-up photo of a woman, in a white skirt and top, and a man, wearing jeans and no shirt, holding hands as they walk together.
There is no part of me that belongs to another. I choose to share at my own discretion. [continue] ...
: Change, Growth, Introspection, Learning, Social Issues, Struggle, Thoughts, Trust

The Sovereign State of Being (thoughts)

Viewed from above, 15 wooden figurines, made from white pine, stand atop a table. They are surrounding a single red figurine, which is lying on its side amongst them. The image represents bullying, harassment and loneliness.
I have been thinking, a lot, the last two days—about who I want to be in this moment. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Change, Community, Diversity, Family, Fears, Growth, Hope, Hurt, Intersex, Introspection, Learning, Poems, Politics, Riddle, Social Issues, Strength, Struggle, Transgender, Transition, Trust

When I look
 (a poem)

Paper cut-outs of people's arms and the Earth. Each of the pieces is wrinkled, and the arms overlap each other. The arms are cut from many different colors of paper, which is reflective of the diversity of the human race. The Earth is cut from blue and green papers. All of the hands are pointed inward, toward the Earth.
Life is serenely complicated. Some people try to stand out, and by doing so hope to fit in with others who do the same. Me, I never wanted to stand out, to be different, but I am. I guess we all are, in our own way, different that is. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Big Thoughts, Change, Community, Diversity, Growth, Introspection, Learning, Nature, Thoughts, Transgender

Differences (thoughts)

 

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