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 woman in a light mauve dress sits on the side of a grass-covered mountain in Switzerland. At the base of the mountain is a clear, pale blue lake.
Inspired I write. Tired I sleep. Stressed I can't. Lonely I weep. Enabled I do. Afraid I don't. Excited I thrive. Ordered I won't. [continue] ...
: Favorites, Introspection, Poems

When (a poem)

A photograph of a Monarch butterfly hanging from a cluster of purple and orange flowers
The way that I was made, the people I have known, have all played their role, in the way that I have grown. All the things I’ve gone through, the trials I have faced, all those things, both good and bad, have led me to this place. [continue] ...
: Favorites, Introspection, Poems, Transgender, Transition

Who I am today (a poem)

A quill pen and an ink well rest on an old, open book in a library.
Let us begin to write with colour. Measuring beats with the stroke of a pen. Not all are meant to share with another, but help us recall lost moments again. [continue] ...
: Favorites, Poems, Poetry, Writing

Poets (a poem)

Recent Poetry

Recent [3] | All Poetry
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)

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)

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
A small woman, in a semi-transparent white dress, sits atop the round end of a red bubble wand, inside a soap bubble.
there is a me that no one sees the one i long to be to live a life devoid of fear i’m dying to be free i see a world when eyes are closed in dreams that’s where i go for there i truly am at peace in a place that few may know [continue] ...
: Dysphoria, Introspection, Poems, Struggle, Transgender

me (a poem)

A man, caringly holding his hand out to help a woman, who is sitting on a hospital bed with her hand in his. The main focus is on their hands.
Give thanks. Give attention, acceptance, kindness. Give of your heart. Give comfort. Give peace, joy, happiness. Give of your soul. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Anaphoric, Community, Friendship, Growth, Hope, Inspiration, Introspection, Learning, Love, Poems, Social Issues, Strength, Trust

Give (an anaphoric poem)

A fog-covered, back-lit Medieval battle scene, in silhouette, with cavalry and infantry.
Long after the war has ended, it rages in our hearts. Continually choosing sides, is driving us apart. Finding some small difference, separates the two. In the war of us and them, it’s time for us to choose. [continue] ...
: Change, Christian, Community, Growth, Learning, Love, Poems, Politics, Social Issues, Trust

Us versus Them (a poem)

 

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