• Essays,  General Thoughts

    Taking Back the “Nerd” Label

    I’ve been pondering this “nerd” topic for several months, trying to decide how to best express my thoughts. Having a son in middle school makes the topic relevant now more than ever. Elementary and middle school ages are tough for kids. Junior and Senior high school are tough for kids. That is—these stages are tough for some kids, the nerds.

  • Adult Poetry,  Poetry

    Eighteen years later

    “Eighteen Years Later” Free-Verse Poetry, 9-23-17 My inability to hate you Is the biggest detriment in my adult life. I was young and inexperienced, Putty in your hands, Moldable and folding myself over and over again Until there was almost nothing left. I want to sever the insatiable connection to you, Because it still hurts that you didn’t feel it too. Losing you damn near killed me. I thought I knew what love was, But you said I didn’t. You were wrong; I knew everything. -Brandi Easterling Collins