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
An empty school hallway with rust-colored, painted student lockers and yellow-beige walls. A single tan, covered garbage can sits aside one of the walls.
Another family dinner. Another empty room. Another grieving parent. Another lost too soon. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Anaphoric, Community, Diversity, Enby, Favorites, Grief, LGBTQIA+, Loss, Nonbinary, Poems, Politics, Social Issues, Struggle

Another… (an anaphoric poem)

A tropical storm is coming across the crystaline-blue ocean in Barbados.
A heavy storm is brewing, out on horizon's line. Panic sets as we worry how, to prepare ourselves in time. [continue] ...
: Abuse, Change, Community, Favorites, Fears, Grief, Hope, Inspiration, LGBTQIA+, Loss, Poems, Politics, Religion, Social Issues, Strength, Struggle, Transgender, Trauma, Trust

The Coming Storm (a poem)

A white, painted brick wall, with handprints, smears, and splatters of red across it.
Truth runs red. Flowing everywhere. It cannot be stopped, held back, contained. [continue] ...
: Change, Dark, Favorites, Friendship, Grief, Growth, Introspection, Lonely, Loss, Poems, Strength, Struggle, Trust

Bleeding Out (a poem)

Recent Poetry

Recent [3] | All Poetry
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I see myself in the story of a beautifully unique woman who never quite fits the mold of societal expectations, and the beast who holds her captive within the near impeneterable walls of an enchanted castle. [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Change, Fears, Growth, Hope, Hurt, Introspection, Learning, Poems, Social Issues, Strength, Struggle, Transgender, Transition

The Deal (a poem)

She knows just how to cheer me up. a senior woman and her adult daughter dancing together at home.
Hey Mom, If you were still here… [continue] ...
: Acceptance, Change, Expectations, Family, Fears, Grief, Growth, Hope, Hurt, Inspiration, Intersex, Introspection, Learning, Legacy, LGBTQIA+, Lonely, Loss, Love, Poems, Strength, Struggle, Transgender, Transition, Truth, Uncertainty

Thoughts in the Stillness (a poem)

Dreamstime 157347705 2048x850 flip
You think you know me. [continue] ...
: Change, Expectations, Fears, Growth, Hurt, Introspection, Learning, Legacy, Loss, Poems, Struggle, Uncertainty

You think (a poem)

Recent Articles

Recent [3] | All Articles | Top Articles
Music concert, hands raised in the shape of the heart for the music, blurred crowd and artists on stage in the background with blue spotlights
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)

Christian fundamentalist campaigns in park. A Christian calls on the public to repent for their sins because they believe the second coming of Jesus is imminent in a park in Albany, New York ALBANY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - Jun 09, 2020
Blasting people with scripture and judgments then walking away, leaves behind nothing but animosity and contempt... (641 words) [continue] ...
: Abuse, Articles, Change, Christianity, Community, Diversity, Drama, Fears, Growth, Introspection, Learning, Politics, Social Issues, Struggle, Trauma, Trust

Poor Timing (article)

Des Moines, IA, USA - 10-18-2025: No Kings Protest community crowd
Americans have spent 250 years working tirelessly to build a nation that can withstand hardship... (307 words) [continue] ...
: Abuse, Articles, Change, Community, Diversity, Drama, Fears, Growth, Introspection, Learning, Politics, Social Issues, Struggle, Trauma, Trust

Rise (article)

Recent Thoughts

Recent [3] | All Thoughts
Panic attack in public place. Woman having panic disorder in cit
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 close-up of a dust-covered, dirty computer keyboard.
My mom used to write letters at the end of each year, to keep friends and family up to date on the happenings in our family. I hadn’t written any poetry in a while. So, in the middle of the night, I wrote a little update letter of my own. [continue] ...
: Change, Grief, Growth, Loss, Poems, Struggle, Transgender, Transition

It’s been a while (a poetic letter)

The side profile of a woman, covered in gold paint makeup, she has her index finger held up in front of her pursed lips, displaying the universally recognized sign, 'Hush!'
Don’t tell anyone. They can’t know about you, that you’re different, weird, unacceptable, unforgivable. Don’t tell anyone. They might think it was my fault. [continue] ...
: Change, Drama, Intersex, Introspection, Learning, Loss, Poems, Riddle, Slam, Strength, Struggle, Transition

Hush (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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