KEEP RIDING

The merry-go-round keeps spinning. I used to think life was a roller coaster with all its ups and downs but when I look back I see it’s really more of a merry-go-round that spins at different speeds. Merry-go-rounds are always more enjoyable when you have someone to ride them with.  And then you need someone…

#BeReal – PETER M. OLSEN

My #BeReal guest today is Peter M. Olsen.   Masks We all wear masks. Some are subtle. Some are hidden. Mine couldn’t be more obvious. Long hair, 20 pounds overweight, scruffy beard. The mask I wear is made from self-hatred and depression and scars. My mask tells me that I am ugly…So very fucking ugly.…

#BeReal – DAVID ELLIS

Please welcome David Ellis to #BeReal. Embracing Your Animal Instincts, Choose Love, Not Fear OK, so here it is – the real me. Uncut, cut loose and out on the streets. (Don’t you dare call the police – I’ll be good, I promise!) For all of my sins, I’m a writer.   I’m a crazy…

#BeReal – DORI OWEN

My #BeReal guest today is Dori Owen. On #BeingReal I am a storyteller. This is the way I transform my thoughts into #BeingReal. I came off the assembly line a little bit broken, a little bit funny, and with a love of all things creative. Art and writing are how I express my real. This…

#BeReal – COURTNEY KEESEE

My #BeReal guest today is Courtney Keesee. When I think about what it means to be real, the first thing to come to my mind is not hiding from the world, even though it’s an evil world full of evil people ready to judge you and tear you to shreds. And I don’t mean not…

#BeReal -STEPHANIE ORTÉZ

Please welcome my #BeReal guest Stephanie Ortéz For as long as I can remember I always felt compelled to unleash my talents to the world. My Grandmother nurtured my artistic talents by being both my adviser & biggest fan. She would collect fashion magazines and teach me how to braid my hair. She and I…

#BeReal – RA AVIS

My #BeReal guest today is Ra Avis. I love fairy tales and blanket forts. I love daydreams and dandelion wishes.  I think if you asked most of my friends and family to describe me, these concept would be tossed around. But they’d also tell you, for all my whimsicality, I am  real. My feet are…

#BeReal – RAYMOND BAXTER

My #BeReal guest today is Raymond Baxter. The events in my life that broke me Well. This is my story. A special thanks to the #BeReal series for letting me publish this. I’ll also link to Darla Halyk for giving me the confidence to write this post. For helping me to make the decision to finally admit…

WE WERE BORN POLITICIANS

I stood still Invisibly quiet A bystander A witness To an atmosphere Gaining tension Not me, no way It wouldn’t be me Tipping the scale The precarious needle Into the red territory Crimson delicacy Marking danger Overloaded Overheated Over the limit Voices were angry And so very loud Eyes were enraged Focused and wide Yet…