Published in Prism & Pen·PinnedOpen 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·PinnedFloating 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 21Do 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 20I 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 20Chasing 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 8I 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 20A 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 6What’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 4‘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
Published in Lifeline·Feb 27Unlock the Hidden Door to My Secret Garden Hearta letter to my future lover — Dear future lover, maybe we’ll meet in the poetry section of the secondhand bookstore or at the dance club or in the park on a warm summer’s day and it’ll be like we were lovers in another lifetime as if we’ve known each other for millennia our souls crafted from the same…Lifeline Prompt2 min read