Mental Health

Flora and Freaks. Winner in Somewhere Between Here and There Challenge. Top Story - August 2025.
smiling in checkout lines kneeling in pews a child can raise the gun and doesn’t look much different than you * a father can betray his ring
By Natasha Collazoabout a year ago in Poets
Queue is a Ridiculous Word
Queue is a ridiculous word Its one letter followed by four silent others Perhaps that makes sense The one in the front is ordering
By Atomic Historianabout a year ago in Poets
The Vanishing Man and the Spiral Dispatch
The Moment of Knowing I spiraled through the dream, back and forth, feather to flame, scroll to mirror. I kept saying it,
By Vicki Lawana Trusselli about a year ago in Poets
I hate it here
Friday night, she talks on the phone, Getting yelled by a man she loved before She washes the dishes and mops the floor Getting yelled by a man she loves no more
By Helen about a year ago in Poets
Love comes as peace
Love comes as peace, love comes as bliss, lightness, and the free flow of youthful and golden energy. Don't miss this opportunity, free yourself from all limitations,
By Antea Lumina Kala Matylda about a year ago in Poets
The escape that changed my voice
I have arrived. I thought I did, or is it possible to suffer in an imaginary world? The tender hands become unkind in a nocturnal image. Barefoot witnesses the cold mortal voice of the escape. Footprints behind remind of the pain rooted by the unkind hands. Tears of the unknown shadows scar into my swollen face.
By Johana Torresabout a year ago in Poets
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