Our 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…

On 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…

Entering the 10-word story challenge — I was inspired by Shereen Bingham to give the 10-word story challenge a try, so I’ve written nine 10-word stories inspired by my day-to-day life. Here it goes! Twenty dollar bouquet of farmer’s market flowers brings me joy 2. Sitting at a stoplight as a monarch butterfly meanders by 3…

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…

Relinquishing 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…

A 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…

A 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…

a 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…

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…