Brandon Ellrich's Blog, page 13
September 18, 2022
Serene Facade
Morning sun shines upon the hill,Carpeted lush and green.
Warmth spreads across the surface,
Of an otherwise cold and lonely place.
Silken flowers adorn the stones,
And all is quiet, serene;
And as the sun is setting,
A shadow grows,
Upon the grave of my beloved.
Copyright © 2022 Brandon Ellrich
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September 17, 2022
FREE BOOK Giveaway!
From Archway PublishingIf you are reading this post and are not yet following me, you have a chance to get a FREE copy of my book Tell Me No Secret.
As I write this, I currently have 498 followers… Well, I have 498 WordPress followers and 43 email followers, some of those being the same people, so I really don’t have an accurate number. Nevertheless, I’ll go with WordPress followers for the sake of this giveaway.
Since the numbers are rather arbitrary, I’ll give the book to follower #502. I’ll even give you the choice of either the paperback or the ebook version.
Whenever you follow, make sure I have a way to contact you in order to “gift” you the book. In the past, I have done that by the person’s email. If you already have a website, I should be able to contact you through there. After I get to follower 502, I’ll remove this post.
Naturally, I hope that you will follow me not just for the free book, but to read my blog posts. I have a lot of poems, short stories, and articles that, I believe, have good content. I look forward to giving this gift as well as gaining a new follower and potential fellow blogger.
Thanks for reading!
Brandon Ellrich
September 16, 2022
Caturday Sept. 17, 2022
Photo by Brandon EllrichGroceriesSeptember 14, 2022
In My Head
This poem was written in response to W3 Prompt #20: Wea’ve Written Weekly – The Skeptic’s Kaddish. Please visit his page to participate or read the other responses.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this poem or got something out of it, please click the like button and leave a comment as well. Follow me if you want updates on new posts whenever they are published.
If you liked this poem, you may also like Lost in the Fog or Spiral of Depression.
Empty Kingdom
https://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/mysterious-places-in-india/Princes and Ladies danced in the Hall, While Kings and Queens would feast;Tapestries and paintings adorned the walls; Their riches would never cease.But time and change are constant foes, Relentless in their pursuit;The kingdom witnessed many woes, Their riches turned to loot.Now the birds dance through the Hall, Partnered by the wind;Ivy now adorns the walls, No feasting ne’er again.Gold and riches, ye may amass, And may rise to power anon,But things of this world cannot last, In an instant they are gone.Ye may build your castle with strength of stone, Have riches beyond belief,But be wary they do not leave you alone, Mired in sorrow and griefCopyright © 2022 Brandon EllrichThis poem was written in response to Simply 6 Minutes at Stine Writing. Please visit their page to participate and read other responses. (117 words)
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this poem, please click the like button and leave a comment. Follow me to receive updates whenever new posts are published.
If you enjoyed this poem, you may also like Resentment.
September 13, 2022
Graphic
Dylan looked around the used bookshop with little more than a mild interest, but then something at the back of the shop caught his eye. There was a door with caution tape across it in an “X” and the tape read “Crime Scene Do Not Cross.” Naturally, his curiosity got the better of him. He looked around to make sure no one was watching before he casually sauntered toward the door. He pretended to look at some books near the doorway, and when he was sure that no one noticed, he turned the knob, opened the door and peeked inside. He heard a voice behind him, so he swiftly entered the room and shut the door. He could hear muffled sounds all around him and he quickly realized they seemed to be coming from the books themselves!
He cautiously took a book from the shelf and opened the cover. It appeared to be a graphic novel, but in this book, the characters were moving and talking!
“I see you found something,” a voice said behind him.
Dylan was startled and dropped the book.
“You should’ve heeded the warning on the outside of the door.”
Soon after, a new character was added to the graphic novel. Its name was Dylan.
*This short story was written in response to the Simply 6-Minutes writing challenge on Stine Writing, so please visit their page.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this story, please click the like button and leave a comment. Follow me in order to receive updates on new posts whenever they are published.
September 9, 2022
Spiral of Depression
Image credit; Robert Lukeman @ UnsplashIt usually starts with something smallSometimes I don’t know what it was at allSometimes I doI add more to it, things that don’t even relateMy mind spins as it gets bigger, inflatesLike a spiral, it grewI’m so far out that I can’t trace it back to where it beganI’m always a burden, no one loves me, I’ll never find love againI use absolutesAlways never always never always neverI ask questions to which I’ll never find answersBut I’m not seeking truthI’m mentally unstable, sick, derangedWhy am I like this? Why can’t I change?If only I knewIf I told you I needed an ear or a shoulderWould you give me a hug or a hand to hold, orWould you wait for a day or two?What if you didn’t take me seriouslyThought I was only acting deliriouslyAnd you waited a few. . . too late.
Copyright © 2022 Brandon Ellrich
September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. In the United States, you can call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health related crises or if you are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. You can also visit https://988lifeline.org/. The previous Lifeline number (1-800-273-8255), still remains in effect as well.This poem is in response to What Do You See #150 at Keep It Alive. Please visit Sadje’s page as well.
Thanks for reading! If you got something out of this poem, please click the like button and leave a comment on my page. Follow me to stay up-to-date on new posts.
September 7, 2022
Being in the Closet Isn’t So Bad
In the ClosetBeing in the closet is great, isn’t it? See how warm and cozy it looks? There’s nobody in there to bother you and it’s just sooooo comfortable. I don’t see why anyone would want to leave such a safe and cozy place! But, then again…it gets kind of lonely in there, doesn’t it? Nobody is able to see who you really are because your true self is hidden away. It’s not as much fun either, is it? You can’t really relax, let loose and be yourself, because what if somebody realizes who you truly are, what you like, who you like? You’d be making yourself vulnerable, and that can be dangerous, right? But…it can also have its rewards.
Coming OutIf someone sees who you are, then they might relate to you, even like you. That like may even turn into love. Your friends and family would gain more insight into you are and become more empathetic toward your feelings. If you open the door and come out, it will be a lot brighter, bigger–a whole new world would be opened up.
The DecisionBeing in closet is fine, though. Just stay in there with the towels and be comfortable, if you want to; it’s up to you. Maybe you’ll go unnoticed and you’ll never have to take any risks. You may never find true friends, you may never find love, but who needs any of that? You’ve got yourself and the darkness, and maybe a few blankets and washcloths.
Disclaimer*I should add here that I am not trying to make light of the experience of coming out. I know that it is a very difficult process for some people. I am also not trying to prod or cajole anyone into making a hasty decision. Everyone’s journey is different and I do not presume to know everyone’s circumstances. My own journey has not been easy and I wish for everyone to have a much smoother experience than I. These are just some of my own thoughts, a commentary–just something to think about. Basically, I saw my cat had gotten into the closet, it sparked a thought, and it went from there. I wish you all to be safe, be well, be happy.
If you were able to relate to this post, you might also want to read my poem Better To Have Loved? and the short story Coming Out.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this commentary or got something out of it, please click the like button and leave a comment; I always like to hear what readers’ reactions are. Click the follow button to be sure to receive updates on future posts.
Elephant
This poem is in response to a writing prompt from Britta’s Blog, written for the Skeptic’s Kaddish Blog, so please visit each of them.
I saw the picture for this prompt, so I’d like to contribute:
My boyfriend’s favorite animal was the elephant. I don’t think I ever asked him why; it may be that they never forget, that they’re loyal, that they’re as big as the sky. They seem to have souls that are gentle and sweet,but if you cross them, be ready to retreat. Joe’s favorite animal was the elephant, and I wished I had asked him why. I thought I’d have the chance at a future date; I didn’t expect that he would die.Copyright © 2022 Brandon EllrichThis, unfortunately, is a true story. If you got something out of this poem, please click the like button and leave a comment. Follow me if you’d like to receive updates on future posts when they are published.
September 4, 2022
Labor Day
Known as Labour Day or International Workers’ Day in some countries, Labor Day, for most people in the United States, is part of a long weekend off from work, a reason to have a barbecue, go on a short trip, and/or hang out with friends and family. It signifies the end of Summer. Originally, it was a day set aside to honor the American labor movement and to recognize the work and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States. 1
In recent years, I think we have seen a drastic change in the attitudes of people toward laborers and of many of the laborers themselves. Teachers, we all know, are underappreciated and underpaid, restaurant servers are treated like less than first-class citizens, and those in the sanitation and janitorial services are looked down on. Is it any wonder why individuals wouldn’t want these jobs?
The Effects of COVID on the American Work ForceAs we all know, many (if not most) businesses were ordered to shut down in 2020, forcing many people out of jobs. Some of these layoffs were temporary, but unfortunately, many were permanent, due to businesses having no choice but to close their doors forever. If you were part of a business that was considered “essential,” you were one of the more fortunate ones.
Naturally, unemployment rates rose astronomically, the government issued checks, and we waited. After things started heading back to a place of “normalcy,” many businesses were able to reopen. The government, however, continued doling out money, whether you were able to retain your job or not, and many people continued to collect unemployment, not bothering to even look for jobs. When I heard the amount that individuals were collecting for unemployment, I thought, I could quit my job and make more money by not working! Am I missing something?
Even after restaurants were allowed to open at full capacity, they were not able to do so because they didn’t have the staff. I saw Help Wanted signs up and down the street going unanswered. People either didn’t feel the need or perhaps the desire to return to work. They lacked a certain type of ethic.
Work EthicWhatever job I’ve had, I have made sure that I am good at it; at least, as good as I can be. Mopping floors may seem to be a menial task, but I will at least do it thoroughly. I have had many coworkers, however, who lack such a work ethic. Especially when the boss isn’t around, they will do the bare minimum, sometimes much less.
I think one of the reasons for this change is a severe lack of empathy. In today’s egocentric society, a lot of people ask, “What’s in it for me?” If a job or task doesn’t suit them or have a direct impact on them personally, they may choose not to do it, or at most give it minimal effort. In order to gain back the empathy that would raise their level of work ethic, all a person would have to do is ask themselves, “If I were owner of this business, how would I want it ran?” The answer would get them up off their tush and moving.
Rewarding Good EmployeesIf you are an employer, I encourage you to take notice of your more dedicated employees and reward them for their work ethic. Show them that good deeds are worth doing. If you are an employee, strive to be the best at what you do, whatever that may be. Even if you are not immediately compensated, it will pay off in the future; if not monetarily, in building your own character.
Thank You, WorkersIn the midst of eating that barbecue wing, drinking that beer, or playing corn hole, take time to say thank you to some of the workers providing you with the things you’re enjoying on this holiday. Let them know they are appreciated–especially when they may not be fortunate enough to have this day off themselves.
Copyright © 2022 Brandon Ellrich
Thanks for reading. I would love to hear your thoughts, so please click the like button and leave a comment. Click the follow button if you want to stay up-to-date on my latest posts.
If you enjoyed this article, you may also want to read my post Grow Your Nose or my post on Deep Work.
