I contain multitudes

My name is Devans Eli—writer, artist, and believer in the power of becoming. This space is where I pour the many pieces of myself into words—through poetry, prose, and story. I’ve always believed that storytelling is a way of breathing life back into the world, and this site is my open window to share that breath with you.

One of my favorite quotes is from Walt Whitman:

“Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes).”

That line reminds me that we are never just one thing. I am Black. I am queer. I am a husband, son, brother, and friend. I’ve walked away from spaces that couldn’t hold my full truth and found new ones that could. I’ve wrestled with loss and worth, silence and song—and through it all, I’ve kept creating. Writing has always been my bridge back to wholeness.

In this season, I’m stepping into a dream years in the making: publishing my first children’s book, Nora Escapes the Bakery. It’s a playful, heartfelt story about courage, curiosity, and finding the lesson in every adventure. It’s also a love letter to the kid I once was—the one who drew worlds on notebook paper and believed magic could live anywhere.

So, whether you’re here for a poem that makes you pause, a story that makes you feel seen, or simply to find a bit of light in the dark—I’m glad you’re here. I hope my words remind you that you, too, contain multitudes.