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
Three men sat down, they all wore crowns Around a fire, they all met Each had one goal to set down But each would argue how to get Get the goal they all dreamed of A world of laughter, fun, and love Each had pure intentions, see It was their methods; disagreed It was Lord … More Three Wise Men
A lighthouse stands to guide these lands It overlooks the gulf, the sea Built to be a beacon, yes Yet casts no light for you nor me Dynasties: they are not made They’re earned through blood, through patience, grit And though our lighthouse claims to guide It stands complacent; never lit Life is not a … More Create
I drove in thought, as tend I do On whim, I paused as I passed through Pulled aside and spent the day Atop the bluffs, where my dog played And though he is not with me now I felt him there, some way, somehow The moss, a feel of fur it had The breeze, sound … More Cherish
A one way mirror, it must be As others see more clear than me A gaze to my left A glance to my right I know not which to join or fight Perhaps this path? To there, or here? To follow roads paved yesteryear? Misguided bones rest on false thrones Offering uncertainties Dogmas close once … More Clouded Reflections
A one way mirror, it must be For them, it’s clearer seen than me I look to my left I look to my right I know not where to walk tonight Should I take this path? Should I go there? Feign the footsteps of who dare? Nothings known on a false throne Uncertainty is all … More Reflections
It’s been awhile Yes awhile Since I wrote a poem But that’s because Yes it’s because I haven’t been alone I got a dog And like a frog I jumped into a thing And now free time Has been declined For Pips a pong to ping I made that up Just like her sup The … More Okay Back, Honeymoon’s Over
Hello pretty Pip! I think its time I wrote a pweem So although my friends all know ‘twas coming This won’t be as it seems Never mind, okay I lied That’s exactly what this is It’s just a pweem, with glamour, gleam Were she a drink, she’s fizz Welcome to the world, my girl … More Hello, Pip!
My job as of late It’s one I don’t hate In fact, I like it a lot Its to renovate Every inch, every gate A sweet house that my friend had just got Well when I consigned My name to dotted line I said yes, of course I will try To give you my best … More The Lonely Ladders
An Ode to the Letter “A” A picture says a thousand words At least that’s what they say Although they can’t describe a thing As well as letter “A” “A” means that there’s others As if there’s two or three And if there was just only one “A” would become “the” An Ode to the Letter “B” … More An Ode to the Alphabet
What can a person do when raised by words on different page? I’ve said it once before and once again it I will say My father was the devil, but my mother was a saint Half a demon half an angel when they mixed my DNA Knowing this is how I keep the things I … More One Shot
How the World Should Work 