PinnedMember-onlyHer Birth Certificate Was Changed to Hide a Family SecretMy family’s long hidden truth had lasting consequences — Months before my grandmother died of cancer, she told her daughter a secret. She wanted her to know the truth about her date of birth. …Family4 min read
Published in Prism & Pen·PinnedMember-onlyOpen Letter to the Anti-LGBTQ Preacher Picketing Elton John’s ConcertOur joy is stronger than your hatred — Dear homophobic preacher dude, I don’t know if you’re actually a pastor or just some rando who decided a good way to spend a Tuesday night would be to picket outside a concert. Either way, you were incredibly obnoxious standing there holding your sign, shouting into your microphone, and spewing…LGBTQ5 min read
Published in The Narrative Collective·PinnedMember-onlyFloating in the Ocean at Malibu Beach Was the Moment I Knew I Had Finally HealedOn strawberries, sunshine, and saltwater — “Car rides to Malibu, strawberry ice cream, one spoon for two” — Olivia Rodrigo, deja vu When I arrived in Malibu on a glorious August day, I stepped onto the sandy beach and ran to greet the ocean as her waves rushed up to meet me in a joyous reunion…Radical Pleasure8 min read
Published in Lifeline·Jun 21Member-onlyDo You Remember When We…?a poem for my childhood best friend — do you remember when we were 13 years old and deeply insecure? you hid it under a layer of perfect hair, makeup, and new clothes you were boy crazy and loud all bright smiles and dirty jokes I was quiet and lonely always hiding in my shell until you pulled me…Poetry3 min read
Published in Know Thyself, Heal Thyself·May 20Member-onlyI Would Rather Be a Simple Cobbler than the World’s Greatest GeneralRelinquishing the fear of failing to live up to my potential — Mark Twain once told a story of a man who spent his entire life searching for the greatest general in the world, but to no avail. When he died and went to heaven, he asked St. Peter to show him the greatest general. But the man was confused upon seeing…Self6 min read
Published in Pollinate Magazine·Apr 20Member-onlyChasing Unseen Ghosts Through the Twilit WoodsA spooky nature poem — a chilly spring evening the vivid blue sky softly fades to white then gold the yellow glow of the sinking sun shines brightly from behind bare trees the roar of rushing water a comforting backdrop powerful yet peaceful I make my way into the forest treetops swaying gently in the breeze all…Poetry2 min read
Published in Pollinate Magazine·Apr 8Member-onlyI Keep the Secrets of the Wild ThingsA nature poem — My foot slams down hard on the break as I let a gray squirrel cross the road he hops along leisurely, bushy tail twitching his life is precious too I catch a glimpse of a rusty red fox mysterious and enchanting sneaking through a suburban backyard our eyes meet for a split…Poetry3 min read
Published in Literary Impulse·Mar 20Member-onlyA Girl Pretending to be Lost in the Woodsa poem: when words and paintings combine — bare branches dotted with swollen buds ready to burst tender green leaves beginning to unfurl the vernal equinox approaches a girl walks through the forest curious and content exploring this long-forgotten woodland pushing branches aside gently brushing a sticky spiderweb from her face her clothing catches on thorny tendrils of wild rose…Literary Impulse3 min read
Published in Counter Arts·Mar 6Member-onlyWhat’s the Worst that Could Happen with a Cat Living in the White House?Let’s imagine the possibilities, shall we? — As you may have heard, President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden recently adopted a cat and brought her to live with them in the White House. Her name is Willow, and she is an adorable two-year-old gray tabby. Maybe it’s because Willow resembles my cat, who is…Counter Arts4 min read
Published in Happily Faithless·Mar 4Member-only‘God Is A Freak’ Is the Song that Religious Trauma Survivors Have Been Waiting For“So why would I spend my eternity with God when he’s a freak?” — Peach PRC is an Australian pop singer, songwriter and Tik Tok star who recently came out as a lesbian. Not only do I love her all pink aesthetic, but I’m obsessed with her bold new anti-religious anthem that shines a spotlight on the absurdity of certain Christian beliefs. God Is…Christianity6 min read