Top Stories
New stories you’ll love, handpicked for you by our team and updated daily.
The Millennial Urge
The Millennial urge to get off the grid. Grow an edible garden, live in a tiny home. Have two cats, three dogs, and of course, chickens
The Anarchy of a Haiku Challenge
Vocal Media has taught me many things through the poetry challenges of the past two years. First, I learned the traditional form of a Shakespearean Sonnet and drove myself quite mad counting syllables, creating the rhythm of Iambic pentameter, and stressing every other syllable. I worked hard. Then, low and behold, the winning sonnets broke all the rules. What?
J. S. WadePublished about a year ago in MotivationThe Lone Wolf
Heavy droplets of rain fell as a sudden storm ravaged the colony of Japre. People rushed inside their homes, their children, wives, husbands, and parents in tow. One man stood alone in a field on the outskirts of the colony, looking to his crop of underberries before the rain washed them all away. The fickle plants were the only thing that could grow on the planet’s muddy surface. Storms raged on and on, providing only brief respites in between outpour after outpour of heavy rain. It was the last sowing of the season, he had to make it work.
J D GuzmanPublished about a year ago in FictionUnder stress
Piezoelectric Oversimplification– Spark generation. _________________________________________________ Written for the blue haiku challenge.
Heather HublerPublished about a year ago in PoetsStop Saying These Things to Trans People!
This article contains use of language, anatomy terms, and questions that may be triggering to the LGBTQIA+ community. Since coming out as transgender, I've really noticed a difference between the way people treated me as a girl, and the way people treat me as a boy. Especially online, I'm spoken to differently: and a lot of the time, my identity is disregarded completely by people who are insecure about themselves when they acknowledge it. Though I've known for a long time about chasers* in the trans community, I never experienced one firsthand until recently, and it got me wondering. I have a cisgender friend I've known since college, who was never shy about his attraction to me, and who hasn't toned it down at all since I came out. Not too long ago, he said something that really stuck with me, while also completely bringing into question our relationship.
ghostsandrebelsPublished about a year ago in PrideAn embarrassing Vocal story changed my life
They reckon every time a door closes, God opens a window. I used to wonder if that window was being opened to let out some of the stink. But I get the general sentiment of the saying.
D-DonohoePublished about a year ago in ConfessionsAnd the Worst Manager for ANY Year Award Goes to….
“We are no longer tolerating ANY EXCUSE for calling off. If you’re sick, you need to come prove it to us. If your dog died, you need to bring him in and prove it to us. If its (sp) a ‘family emergency’ and you can’t say, too bad. Go work somewhere else. If you only want morning shifts, too bad go work at a bank. If anyone from here on out calls off more than ONCE in the next 30 days you will not have a job.” — From an email from a now former manager of the Olive Garden in suburban Kansas City
David WyldPublished about a year ago in JournalI Never Thought I’d Be An Artistic Person
Growing up as a sheltered, fearful, religiously-influenced child, I had no idea what my future was going to be like. I’ve felt fairly lost in life compared to many others around me. I was not a confident kid, young adult, or even a middle-aged man until recently.
Jason ProvencioPublished about a year ago in GeeksCheeseburger Plain & Dry
This is a Prompt Challenge from the facebook group Vocal + Assist. https://www.facebook.com/groups/vocalplusassist ≈≈≈ I ordered a cheeseburger with the works
Rick Henry ChristopherPublished about a year ago in PoetsJiggly Jell-0
The evening started out so well at my favourite restaurant A vast buffet of delicious choices, as many as you want Much too full for rich dessert, no room left in my belly
Cathy holmesPublished about a year ago in PoetsInside the Supreme Court Case that Included Centerfolds, a Pre-Trial Arrest, and an Exploding Wheelchair
With each Supreme Court term comes landmark decisions, headlines about Justices’ remarks, and politicians’ reactions. Every once in a while there is a case that creates a significant legal precedent and has enough tawdry details to land in both the tabloids and in an FBI file. Keeton v. Hustler Magazine, Inc. argued in 1983 and decided in 1984 has this bombshell combination.
OG CollectionPublished about a year ago in FYIOde to Hephaestus
Honeysuckle wraps the rafters like yellow hands Gripping at the wet, dripping posts And a bruised flower pops up from the floor
Sims LocklearPublished about a year ago in PoetsLike Phantoms Forever
“Welcome to the Black Parade” used to be my least favorite song on My Chemical Romance’s The Black Parade, which happens to be my favorite album of all time. With over half a billion Spotify streams to date and a permanent spot on every mid-2000s emo nostalgia playlist, it is by far their most iconic song. But I skip it almost every time it comes on. I still like it, but once you’ve listened to a few too many mid-2000s emo nostalgia playlists, you start to get very tired of that G note intro.
You Remind Me
You remind me of water Maybe because you told me you like to swim But I think it's more than that. Sometimes I look into your depth
Debbi LonmonPublished about a year ago in PoetsThe Thrill of a Life Unbound
Once a man of the sea, He sought a life of ease and glee, But his existence was a joke, As he could not find a single stroke.
Vicky TenthPublished about a year ago in PoetsFeeling With No Movement
Silence, the noisy world we portray this crazy life in has become silenced. All the thoughts running through my head had come to one jarring halt. Wings of birds stopped flapping, particles of dust that you could see from light beaming through the glass window held still in the air. Flaky is now strong. Action potentials sweeping through my brain thousands of times, every single millisecond, and notions constantly interrupting my daily existence. They finally felt as though they had been suppressed and hushed to sleep like the little girl I used to be. His eyes converged into mine. Uneasiness is now calmness like life is born from death.
Tash JohnsonPublished about a year ago in ConfessionsMinute by Minute
This was it. The day that was circled in red on my calendar. I reluctantly opened my eyes after a restless night’s sleep, knowing what awaited me. Simple denial, procrastination, appeals to higher powers, none of it worked. This was my fate, and I had to accept it.
Mark GagnonPublished about a year ago in PsycheWrong Side Of The Protest
“Look Ma,” she pointed… “Blue suits, big guns, vests, and strong! Are they here to help?”
Alexis Dean Jr.Published about a year ago in Poets"Book Him Danno!"
Yellow, Hit the gas! Through the Red signal I drove New Color rearview!
C. H. RichardPublished about a year ago in PoetsWrite Here, Write Now: I Swore I'd Never Get Married. Then I Had Ten Weddings. By Dane BH
From Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal Podcast, I Swore I'd Never Get Married. Then I Had Ten Weddings. by Dane BH. Dane BH’s essay takes listeners on an unconventional journey of love and community. An interview with Dane BH follows the reading of the essay. Listen in as host Erica Wagner and Dane BH delve into the craft of writing, and finding the style to match the emotion.
Write Here, Write Now: A Vocal PodcastPublished about a year ago in Resources