Mental Health

For Kobee
Kobee, can you hear me? You seemed happy yesterday. In my dreams I see you clearly; When I wake you’ve gone away. Kobee, did you mean it?
By Luke Haymonsabout a year ago in Poets
Box, Stage Left: A Monologue in Three Acts of Deception
Author's Notes Preamble: I wanted to put this right before the action takes place. I am finally published outside of Vocal and by anyone other than myself! This poem is one of two submitted to Vocal legends' Celia and River In Underland's awesome new publication, The Underland Review. This poem and one called "In Situ After “I Need My Girl” by The National (which I will publish on Vocal at another time) are featured in the August 2025 edition, among other names many people will be familiar with.
By Paul Stewartabout a year ago in Poets
Blowing Out My Wishes
I wish I were crazy Telling made-up lies · · ─ ·✶· ─ · · I wish I had imagined every bruise and raging fire · · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·
By K.B. Silver about a year ago in Poets
Speaking Up Is Hard To Do
Have you ever felt something but kept it bottled inside? Sometimes that’s okay— and other times, it cuts deep. There’s a difference between letting go
By Marcus Hillabout a year ago in Poets
Drowning Yet Reaching for Light
My head dips below the water, While my arms and legs flail wildly. No matter how I thrash or kick, The surface remains out of reach. Tiny bubbles slip from my lips, Floating upward toward the sun, Stealing my breath away As dizziness clouds my mind. I once sought your hand to guide me, Both my lifeline and my anchor. Now, when I reach, I find only Empty space, cold and unyielding. I descend further, Panic lodged in my chest, The darkness coils around me, And I fear the harsh embrace of the bottom. My vision blurs, My lungs gasp for air, My thoughts swirl in confusion, Yet still, I fix my gaze on the light above.
By Mirwais Hashamiabout a year ago in Poets
Butterflies' Dance
My baby sister may have let it slip her mind But I remember the butterflies’ dance, divine Holding still, almost holding our breath
By Hayl Moonabout a year ago in Poets
Prisoner. Content Warning.
I’m suffocating In plain sight Yet no one seems to see; How I twist And gasp and beg for help Praying to be set free. The brambles
By Raven Rileyabout a year ago in Poets
I heard you on the 13th summer
The summer solstice came with intensity. My body tilted towards the sun. I felt the warmth of doubt hugging me. The 13th summer of tragedy couldn't remember me? Many waves I've seen, many times I begged in the silent wind. The sound of the ocean whispers at times, or I thought it did. Familiar voices heard my tragedy, voices with empty boats. The summer tragedy stopped my heartbeat. My body was anatomy. The sea whispered, "I heard you on the 13th summer." I travel to find the flesh to cherish your broken shells. Summer is fresh and unknown to the flesh. It is salty and warms my body with the heat of his pain. The intensity of our pain was perfectly paired with the earth at the summer solstice. The return of the heartbeat with a pitter and pounding effect of raindrops soaking us and drowning us in boundless love of eternity.
By Johana Torresabout a year ago in Poets
Boomerang. Honorable Mention in This Is How I Remember It Challenge. Top Story - August 2025.
you always know when to come back. not to have coffee or chat but to interrupt a streak of good vibes with a random interruption on any given day.
By Lamar Wigginsabout a year ago in Poets
Side Effects. Content Warning.
My brain, My name, My prized possession and creativity, Gone! Frantically I search from East to Quest and South to Snud;
By Rae Janneyabout a year ago in Poets
Take The Leap
To start or to keep living in a shadow of your dreams. Do you take the leap or stay in your lane. There is no correct answer,
By Haylee Sandbergabout a year ago in Poets
Grown-up Friend?ships
It was simple once, a shared donut, a borrowed pencil, a smile in a crowded hallway. Tiny gives, tiny takes, bearing soft silent witness.
By Ellie Hoovsabout a year ago in Poets