Brandon Ellrich's Blog, page 2
June 13, 2023
Are You Afraid of Pride?
Author’s PhotoMy hometown is in rural Missouri. I didn’t come out until I was an adult because I knew my conservative Christian family would not accept me, not to mention my school, church, friends, or community.
This year, I heard my town was hosting a Pride event. I don’t know a lot of other people in the LGBTQ+ community, so I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to meet someone from my area.
The event was scheduled to be held at the local Elks Lodge. After I made the decision to go, I heard about some “backlash” from conservative community members. A drag show was part of the schedule of events and it was advertised as “family-friendly.”
This group of conservatives went to a city council meeting to voice their concerns, claiming to be standing up “for our children.” They used the phrase “drag shows are not ‘kid-friendly’.”
Part of the problem was that they changed the phrase. The drag show was advertised as “family-friendly,” encouraging children and their parents to attend.
This group, calling themselves the Johnson County Citizens for the Protection of Children, changed the narrative. They claimed that the organizers of the Pride event were targeting children, essentially indoctrinating the youth with a homosexual agenda. You can read a bit about the meeting in this article:
Addressing Bigotry – Warrensburg, Missouri City Council – April 24, 2023A group billing themselves as Johnson County Citizens for the Protection of Children is up in arms about the…Because of the pushback, there was the possibility of canceling the event. Fortunately, increased security was ordered.
Warrensburg Pride Festival – June 3, 2023 – Returning to Family Friendly FormatThe 2023 Warrensburg Pride Festival is returning to its original format after addressing security concerns. Warrensburg…Even though I’m out, I’m still careful about who I talk to about it. It’s not a conversation that comes up with my family members, and I don’t do too much to attract attention to myself.
When June 3rd arrived, I drove to the location of the Pride event and saw a group of protestors out on the road. They were holding signs that said “Standing Up For Your Children” and others.
I kept driving.
I allowed my fear to dictate my actions. I probably missed out on an opportunity to connect with people who I could relate to within my community.
Fear told me that some of these protestors will turn violent.
Fear whispered that I’ll be there alone and will feel awkward.
Fear said that there will be people I know there who will judge me.
Fear pointed out that it’s an enclosed space and so many people in a crowded area will make me anxious.
There’s one problem with listening to fear and living your life according to its diction:
Fear is a liar.
https://youtu.be/1srs1YoTVzsWhether or not you’re religious or spiritual, the sentiment of this song holds true.
I was disappointed with myself for giving in to fear, but I won’t remain in self-judgment or allow myself to sink into depression.
KC Pridefest is on the 9th, 10th, and 11th and I’ll be going. St. Louis Pridefest is on the 24th and 25th and I’ve already booked a hotel.
If you allow fear to dictate your entire life, you’ll live in constant regret and loneliness. Are there risks? Certainly. But there are also great rewards.
If you’re afraid to go somewhere because there’s a real threat, I’m not telling you to ignore it. No one should judge you for listening to your conscience. Use discretion and caution, but don’t live in fear.
Copyright © 2023 Brandon Ellrich
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*Originally published in Prism & Pen on Medium.
If this post resonated with you, please check out these other posts: Mouse Without Tale, Impossible Request, and Being in the Closet Isn’t So Bad.
June 9, 2023
Superstitious? Not Me!
I interviewed Brandon Ellrich as we were eating lunch at a nearby cafe. I asked him a question regarding superstitions.
Are you superstitious?
“Of course not. That’s just silly.”
What are you doing?
“Eating my lunch.”
No, I mean…with the salt. You threw it over your shoulder.
“Oh, that’s just something you do.”
Umm…
“Anyway, where were we?”
I was asking about superstitions. Do you feel you’ve experienced bad luck — a string of accidents, that sort of thing?
“No, not at all. In fact, I’ve never broken any bones.”
(Then Brandon knocked on the table. He noticed me looking curiously at his fist. He then began drumming his fingers on the table and made the sound of a cymbal as he hit the napkin holder).
“Haha.”
Hmmm…
(After lunch, we walked down the sidewalk. I noticed Brandon was avoiding the cracks in the sidewalk, so I brought it up).
“Well, I don’t want to scuff up my shoes!”
I see.
(We walked on and I saw something on the ground).
Is that a penny?
(Brandon started to bend down to pick it up but decided not to).
I’ll get it.
(He grabbed my arm).
“NO! I mean, someone else may need it.”
(I noticed the penny was tail-side up).
Right.
“Hold on, we’d better cross to the other side.”
(I looked up ahead and there was a ladder leaning against the building).
You don’t want to go under the ladder? Isn’t that superstitious?
“No, that’s just unsafe!”
(We crossed to the other side of the street, but Brandon suddenly stopped).
“On second thought, maybe we should go back the other way.”
(A black cat crossed in front of us, so we turned around).
Umm…
“It has nothing to do with the cat. I just remembered there’s a cute shop back this way that you might like to see.”
I have a couple more people to interview. Perhaps we can continue tomorrow?
“What is tomorrow?”
Friday.
“The 13th?”
Yes, I believe it is.
“I’ve got to stay home tomorrow. You know, work stuff.”
Of course.
Copyright © 2023 Brandon Ellrich
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*Originally published on Medium
May 31, 2023
Just Look At Yourself!
Photo by AuthorJust Look At Yourself!Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years?Mostly in mirrors, I think. Perhaps the occasional window, pool, or other body of water. Mirrors are much clearer, though.
I don’t consider myself a photogenic person. I look in the mirror and I think, “Eh…good enough.” Then, I’ll take a selfie and look at it and scream, “AAAAHHH!!! Who is that disgusting alien?! Wait — is that me? That’s not me. It can’t be me. It’s me.”
There’s this filter you can get on your phone that makes you look 50 years older than you are now. It gives you wrinkles, droopy skin, bags under your eyes, and gray hair. My selfie is that result. The problem is, I don’t have that filter.
So, which version do others see in real life? The mirror me or the selfie me? I hope it’s whichever one looks better that day.
The other place I see myself is in my mind. When I picture myself in my head, I always look better than I do in reality. In a way, I guess this is a good thing. It means I’m looking at myself in a positive light.
I started wearing makeup a while back. I began with eyeliner because I’ve been told I have nice eyes and I wanted to accentuate that quality. Then, I got some foundation to even out my skin tone, etc. It’s all fairly subtle. I want it to look as if I’m not wearing makeup. You know, like all this “beauty” is natural.
You may think that I shouldn’t worry so much about my looks. You may be right. As many of us do, I have insecurities that are difficult to overcome. I’m not in a relationship, and you simply can’t repeat a first impression. Physical attraction isn’t the most important, but it’s the first type of attraction (unless you meet online without seeing each other) when you meet someone.
PrideFest is next month, so I’ve been doing crunches and pushups every day and going outside to tan. I bought a couple of the gayest shirts I could find and they won’t look good if I’m not in shape. Maybe I’ll post pictures — it depends. We’ll see if my phone’s “ugly filter” is turned on or not.
Okay, so my answer to this prompt may have been slightly facetious. It’s a difficult question to answer, though. Where I see myself depends on many factors — whether or not I’m involved in a serious relationship with someone, if I decide to change jobs, if I win the lottery… That last one is pretty unlikely because you pretty much have to play the lottery in order to win.
Where do I see myself in five years? I’ll choose to see myself happy, healthy, and in the arms of someone who loves me.
Copyright © 2023 Brandon Ellrich
*Originally published on Medium
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May 13, 2023
Sun/Son
Sun
looks down
from the sky
as if a father
judging
Son
looks up
from down below
as if in awe
admiring
Copyright © 2023 Brandon Ellrich
This poem was written in response to David’s W3 Prompt #54: Wea’ve Written Weekly on The Skeptic’s Kaddish. Please visit his page to read other responses. The prompt was provided by Sadje. Here prompt guidelines:
Write an ‘elfchen’ poem;Extra challenge: write a second elfchen poem, which opposes the first one.Elfchen poetic formAn elevenie (German: elfchen) is a short poem with a given pattern. It contains eleven words which are arranged in a specified order over five rows. Each row has a requirement that can vary.
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May 12, 2023
Zak the Cat
Author’s Photo; Zak–King of his castleZak the CatHere’s a poem about my cat, Zak;
His eyes are green and his fur is black.
He is as soft as a baby bunny;
When he rolls over it’s really funny.
He lifts his paw when he wants attention;
He shows no one but me his affection.
His tail quivers when he wants a treat,
And he wakes me up when it’s time to eat.
His personality is simply resplendent,
Though he is a bit codependent.
His medical issues have caused me to pay,
But I would never want to give him away!
Copyright © 2023 Brandon Ellrich
Author’s PhotoThanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please click the like button and leave a comment as well. Follow me if you would like to receive updates whenever new posts are published.
Originally published on Medium.
If you liked this poem, you may also like Calico.
May 7, 2023
Tulips
Author’s PhotoTulips display their colors
Shortly in the Spring
But oh, how brightly they glow!
Large green leaves
In case you didn’t see them
In case you didn’t know
Some flowers need a fragrance
Others protect with thorns
The tulip stands on its own
She doesn’t last all year
She gives you just a taste
And then she lies down.
Copyright © 2023 Brandon Ellrich
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I was chosen as the poet of the week for last week’s poetry challenge W3 Prompt #52: Wea’ve Written Weekly.
The poem in this post was written for David’s W3 Prompt #53: Wea’ve Written Weekly on The Skeptic’s Kaddish for this week’s challenge (which I set forth). Please visit his page to read other responses.
April 27, 2023
Camping With a City Girl
What was that?
I don’t know.
There’s something out there.
Probably.
What is it?
I don’t know… A raccoon, maybe. An opossum.
(*Howling*)
Are those dogs?
No, coyotes.
Coyotes?!
(*Howling continues*)
It sounds like a lot of them.
They can make it sound like it’s more than one.
I heard of a girl that was killed by a pack of coyotes.
Maybe.
She was hiking alone in the woods.
She shouldn’t have done that.
She was really small.
Definitely a bad idea.
They could rip right through this tent.
They probably won’t.
Probably?
Most likely.
(*Twig breaks*)
What was that? It sounded close.
It could be a deer.
With antlers?
Maybe.
I’ve heard of deer attacking people.
Not very often.
But it happens.
Sometimes. Just don’t go out there wearing your Ugg boots.
Why?
It may have been a relative.
Could it be a bear?
Possibly.
Are there bears around here?
I’ve heard of a few sightings.
Here?
Well, not in this specific area, but not too far away.
Have you seen one?
Nope.
What if there’s one here? What if he comes up to the tent?
Don’t invite him in.
I have to pee.
Hmm… Probably should’ve done that while the fire was still going.
Why?
You’ll be fine. Take a flashlight.
Then they’ll see me.
They’ll see you anyway. Animals can see in the dark.
Will the flashlight scare them away?
Sure.
What if I see something?
Yell at it.
Yell at it?
Yeah. Wave your hands around, make noises, and shine the flashlight in its face.
They don’t like that?
Nobody likes a flashlight in their face.
What if I make it mad?
Nah. It’ll be scared and run away.
(*Zipper opens*)
Leave the door open in case I need to run back in.
Okay.
Blaaah!
Did you see something?
No, just making sure.
Blaaah-bladdle-aahhh-pubble-ubble…..bvbvbvbphlevelevel….
(*Babbling sounds become fainter*)
(*Crickets chirping*)
(*Babbling begins again and grows louder*)
I’m back.
I heard.
(*Zipper closes*)
Did you see anything?
There were two glowing eyes.
Big or little?
I don’t know. They were close together.
Did it come after you?
No, but it was staring at me.
Thank God you survived.
I won’t be able to sleep.
Do you want to go sleep in the car?
Yes.
Copyright © 2023 Brandon Ellrich
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April 26, 2023
SUMMERTIME
Skin is sensing the scintillating sizzle of summer sun,
Under the umbrella of undulating nebulas above.
Meandering mothers mooing in meadows amid this,
Magnificent Missouri morning.
Even the ever-engaging Earth emits its energy, I,
Remain relaxed in rare respite.
Troubles take time to tarry,
If I invoke the eidolon ideal,
Master of motionless measure,
Ending in the easy ebony evening.
Copyright © 2023 Brandon Ellrich
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please click the like button and leave a comment as well. Follow me if you would like to receive updates whenever new posts are published.
This was submitted in response to David’s W3 Prompt #52: Wea’ve Written Weekly on The Skeptic’s Kaddish so visit his page to read other responses.
*Originally published on Medium
If you enjoyed this poem, you may also like Outside My Window, Autumn Winter Wedding, or Jealous Winter.
April 15, 2023
Historical Moment
Twenty twenty-four
We’ll have the first President
That’s on house arrest
Copyright © 2023 Brandon Ellrich
This poem was written in response to David’s W3 Prompt #50: Wea’ve Written Weekly on The Skeptic’s Kaddish, so check out his page to read other responses. The option I chose was the Senryu.
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April 12, 2023
Would You Like Chocolate or Cheese on Your Cheerios?
Photo by David Streit on UnsplashA Breakfast Poem
“Would you like chocolate or cheese on your Cheerios?”
Asked a server in a serious voice.
It seemed like a crazy question;
Who would make either choice?
“I’ll have milk,” I said with hesitation;
My brain was a little foggy.
“But put it on the side,” I added;
I didn’t want them to get soggy.
The server came out — a tray in hand,
Being careful and slow.
My cereal was placed in front of me,
On a plate instead of a bowl.
“I tried to put the milk on the side,”
She said apologetically,
“But it ran all over the plate anyway;”
I looked down at my Cheerios pathetically.
I glanced at the utensils beside my plate,
Feeling like a dork.
I would’ve used a spoon to eat,
But I had only a knife and a fork.
Copyright © 2023 Brandon Ellrich
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please click the like button and leave a comment as well. Follow me if you would like to receive updates whenever new posts are published.
*Originally published on Medium in “The Power of Poetry.”
