Greetings! I began my writing career in 2015 following the death of my beloved mother. The lessons and world views she instilled during my life as I grew and developed maintain a strong thematic presence throughout much of what I write. Her emphasis on the importance of love, kindness, and concern for all is the primary influence behind my material focusing on occasionally uncomfortable topics like emotional vulnerability, abuse, and existentialism. It isn't all mopey, though - I do like to let the hair down and writing about the fun things in life. Like owning an adorable dog that has enormous, "I just saw a ghost" eyes, for instance. While I use this website predominantly for hosting poetry and/or thought pieces, my primary commercially-marketed project is a sci-fi/fantasy series of novels which I originally self-published. The first is titled Continuity and was published in 2016. A sequel, Continuity: Coalescence, was released two years later. I'm thankful to say both were recently picked up by a traditional publisher, Wild Ink Publishing that will be releasing one, consolidated version of both in December 2024. Announcements on this moving forward will also be posted here. As far as the rest, I'm an ex-Vanderbilt baseball player (c/o '09) with a degree in Economics & Corporate Strategy who is ironically trying to forging a career that has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with either of those things. Before my scribbles began, I was an insurance agent for the better part of a decade. Other than that, I enjoy simple living along with my aforementioned co-author, Pip the Pekingese! Thank you for visiting the website. I hope you enjoy your stay, and I look forward to connecting with any and all. No matter who you are or what you believe, you are warmly welcome! M.E. Shao
Honey, hit the makeup! My dear, we need to go We’re running late already We’re gonna miss the show! Don’t worry hun, we’ll make it, Get seated just in time We’ll see who gets awarded, We’ll see who reads the line Phew, we fine’ly made it! We’ve worked hard all our life Don’t you think … More The Awards Show
Perspective Hello! My friendly friend Please, lend me just one ear This story must be told This true tale you must hear Back when life just started Long ago when things begun There were but only two things The universe had spun These two things fought and bickered Until there came a day A third … More Perspective
Have you ever thought it through Have you ever given thought To all these pretty things Which you have and that you’ve got? So many things we use Trinkets we all like Our iPod car and phone Your house or your new bike? Do you think most understand? Is this something we all know? That … More Dreamers
In times long since lost In a land long forgot There existed a vessel Where minds turned to rot It’d come unexpected When things all seemed great The engine’d turn on As it’d exit its gate It’d halt all your progress And end your hard work The block would set in Your thoughts it would … More The Struggle Bus
Phew. Well, today freakin’ ruled! Days like today are the best – those one of a million types that you look back on as you nestle into bed and think “dang…I wish they could all be like that.” BEHOLD!! The Cube. They’re the kind that make you really appreciate this ball of chaos on which … More Another Awesome Day @ the Cube
The Literary Agent Ages ago, when everyone knew That writing was valued, respected, and true An old Agent lived who repped scribblers like Poe’s She pushed every day, and sold all his poems Back then things were hard, they weren’t like today Where all you must do – is be EL James Just write about … More The Literary Agent
That Beautiful Girl There once lived a girl Quite different than all Who never looked back Helped up those who’d fall She always looked forward She lived without fret She gave endlessly She loved, no regret At times I will wonder In dreams, oft a blur Why so many people Aren’t more quite like her … More That Beautiful Girl
Politics Vote for me folks, your candidate of change! (My glistening smile can sell anything) Don’t be shy guys, my numbers are great! (Mostly my budget will pay any rate) The rest are corrupt! I say what I mean (And hope that my lines aren’t read in between) Once I’m in office, you’ll smile … More Politics
There are times that we quit We wrestle, and fit As we call our hard lives but a strife We get caught in the past Or get told we won’t last And we wish for a bullet or knife My friends, let it go Just take this life slow Remember one thing, most of all … More The Meaning of Life
No sense can I make Amidst all of the fake Why we do what they say and we’re told Oh what will it take For the people to break All the tape, all the glue, all the mold Outside there’s a joke That all the birds poke At people who shout to be heard They … More The Mockingbird
How the World Should Work 