Essay
Raw to Remix- 53 & Me. Runner-Up in Self-Editing Epiphany Challenge.
The crows have landed, I see imperfection. Fifty times around the sun plus three more to rub my nose in it. Love yourself, they say, age with grace. But celebrities don't, so why should I? Botox and fillers- a facelift will do. Don't take age lying down, invoke skin resurrection. "You look good for your age." What the hell does that mean? Under eye bags, a deep forehead wrinkle leaves no secrets on my face. Social media spites me and forwardly invites me: To challenge Father Time with "Yeah, I'm about to get mine." Creams, potions, and diet, already tried it. So, I'm about to go in for hand assisted fixes and take a page from the famous. If you ask me later, know I denied it. This is all natural, don't you see; me at 53!
By Marilyn Glover10 months ago in Critique
The Final Stroke of the Pen
The lamp flickers, casting an unsteady glow over the desk. Shadows stretch and contract with every movement of her pen, as if the room itself breathes with her. Crumpled pages litter the floor, fragments of words abandoned in frustration. A single drop of ink remains in her pen, yet she continues to write. Because as long as the words flow, she exists.
By GoldenSpeech10 months ago in Critique
My own worst Art Critique
I have to be honest—- Critique is one of the most challenges that I have to try to keep tackle it. For years, I have always been my own worst credit or worst critique- no matter what creativity I was doing especially during my school life and even after graduation. I also couldn’t go to the art school or art college at all— it was quite expensive and other reasons (its very complicated to share). I thought I wasn’t going to be succeed anything due from my mental health, my conditions—my learning issues, mixed language disorder, and mixed development delayed since childhood. I always like making stories like imagination and be creative as an illustrator(my dream career), same thing when I want to be an artist. I have also been struggled if I am talented enough or not even quite at all…
By Meghan LeVaughn 10 months ago in Critique
Writing on Medium
A few years ago, before I started reading and writing on Vocal.com I was, and still have an account on Medium.com even though I haven't written there very much since writing here. On that site I posted very short works and writing ideas, and if I remember there is also some of my artwork. To be honest I did receive some views for my work, but not many. After several months to almost a year I started to write for other sites for there was one named personapaper.com based out of England now. It was a paying site till the owners decided to sell or would another word be better like sellout. It was a fun site to write for though.
By Mark Graham10 months ago in Critique
Are Ukrainians prepared for concessions and a ceasefire? What the polls say is as follows:
The idea of a negotiated end to the three-year war has been put on the agenda and in the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin thanks to an agreement between the United States and Ukraine on a ceasefire proposal. However, the parties' positions are pretty clear even before Moscow responds.
By Md Mirajul Islam10 months ago in Critique
Trump’s Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum Go Into Effect
President Trump’s sweeping tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum went into effect on Wednesday, escalating America’s trade spats with global competitors, including close allies already reeling from his on-and-off approach to trade penalties.
By Md Mirajul Islam10 months ago in Critique
The Flower and the Flame
Chapter 1: The Encounter In the idyllic town of Verenthia, where blooming flowers kissed the gentle breeze and sunlight draped every street corner, lived Lila, a florist whose delicate creations captured the hearts of the townsfolk. She was known as the *Flower*, radiating warmth and kindness, tending to her shop, "Whispers of Petals." Each bouquet she crafted was renowned for its beauty and enchanting scent, a testament to her extraordinary talent.
By MOHAMMED NAZIM HOSSAIN10 months ago in Critique
A Week of Spring cleaning
For the past two and a half weeks I have been spring cleaning three houses. My nephew's, my niece's and my sister's. This past week instead of reading and writing here on Vocal I spring cleaned my sister's house. I washed down the walls, washed the windows, laundered curtains, too, polished the furniture and mopped the floors.
By Mark Graham11 months ago in Critique
Canada’s most consequential election is on the horizon
The contest that resulted in Mark Carney becoming the leader of the Liberal Party and the next prime minister of Canada has turned out to be a dull fait accompli. Chrystia Freeland, the once-reliable confidante and trusted deputy prime minister of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, played the role of Judas in the drama that appeared to inevitably result in Carney's persuasive coronation on Sunday evening.
By Md Mirajul Islam11 months ago in Critique
C.I.A. Begins Firing Recently Hired Officers
The government cuts ordered by the Trump administration have hit the C.I.A. Some officers hired in the last two years have been summoned to a location away from the agency’s headquarters in Langley, Va., and asked to surrender their credentials to security personnel, according to three people briefed on the firings.
By Md Mirajul Islam11 months ago in Critique
