Top Stories
New stories you'll love, handpicked for you by our team and updated daily.
Haunting Shadows . Top Story - April 2025.
They say forgiveness sets me free, But they forgot to mention the chains it first breaks, Not the ones that held the one who hurt me, But the invisible ones I wrapped around my heart, To protect my heart from changing, from dying, While trying to survive what should have broken me, While trying to stay afloat, in the middle of this storm. It’s over, I tell myself, That his power has withered, That the memories are buried in the dust of time, But when a word, a tone, a silence, Echoes too close to my past, when history almost repeats, I fall into that pit again, Dark, damp, and familiar, The pit he threw me into over and over again. Somehow, I still carry the scent of that place. I thought I was free, I felt I had healed, But my body remembers, Even when my mind fights to forget, The pain resurfaces, I feel so weak, The trauma is still with me, alive and fresh, I relapse, my healing journey is not yet over, Filled with broken signs, and unexpected detours. I lash out sometimes, Not because I hate, But because I’m still bleeding, weeping, The person before me is not him, But my heart confuses the shadows for the source, I mourn, not just for them, for myself, For the softness I’m still trying to reclaim. Forgiveness is not forgetting, It is easier said than done, They wouldn’t understand my struggles. Forgiveness, is not pretending it never happened, It’s standing in the ruins and choosing peace, Not because they deserve it but because I do, Because I want to be whole, to laugh without tears, Love without defense, breathe without fear. I wish the memories could disappear, partial amnesia, Only forgetting the memories of him, And how he broke me into a thousand pieces, Everything about him would become inexistent to me, Not to erase the woman I’ve become, The courage I showed, or the strength I acquired, But to make space for who I am becoming. They say I should move on, They think I don’t try, I don’t want to, But they can only know how hard it is, The courage and strength required to forgive, When they have gone through the same trauma, It’s easy to move on when minor things happen, But in this case, I’m at war every day, Fighting my past, fighting death, trying to truly live.
By Peace Oputaabout a year ago in Poets
Allowed to Be. Top Story - April 2025. Content Warning.
I wrote this while feeling frustration and anger over the current state of society. I have never understood the determination of some to try to force their beliefs and opinions on others, while still claiming they support freedom and equality. I have studied several religions through my life before finding that Wicca vibes best with my personal opinions and views. Empathy has always been a very strong aspect of my inner self and something I was grateful to been so connected with.
By Luna Verityabout a year ago in Beat
The Metamorphosis of the Mind Challenge Winners
For this challenge, we asked you to share a moment of deep personal transformation. Not the polished, triumphant kind—but the messy, vulnerable kind. The kind that begins with unraveling and ends with something closer to clarity.
By Vocal Curation Teamabout a year ago in Resources
Life's~Circles. Top Story - April 2025.
— At this Stage we Move from 'Purpose' to 'Reflection' — *May I share for a moment: Days ago, I lost two of my besties very suddenly, both in the same day. I then put my drawing into a 'Circle of Life' image by Leonardo as a tribute to Audrey and Addie. They will be missed.
By Jay Kantorabout a year ago in Families
📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 04/24/2025
Our “Raise Your Voice Threads” are hosted most alternating Thursdays at 12PM ET to offer creators more avenues to uncover exceptional stories on Vocal. As we are continuously searching for fresh creators and inspiring stories, this thread provides an opportunity to exchange and discuss the stories that have moved and motivated us on Vocal.
By Raise Your Voice by Vocalabout a year ago in Resources
We Were Never Meant to Live Like This!. Top Story - April 2025.
When you look at the world today, it's like looking at a madhouse. The world is more connected than ever through the miracle of electronic devices. People, at least in the West, of course, there are exceptions, are living longer, eating better, living in homes, and driving the latest cars. We have iPhones/Android phones, social media, AI, etc.
By Nicholas Bishopabout a year ago in Earth
