Flora and Freaks
The heart of Mercy
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
a pack of men laugh
as they spit on her
a mother can poison two bodies at once
nine months pregnant
*
there is no one safe
no holy jawbone
the dark pulse thumps
in every wrist
waiting
for its hour
wrists with questions carved
we are all freaks
*
but—
we are not only this
*
my image is founded on choice
on trembling will
on the voice that says stop
on the hand that refuses to strike
on the broken
who swear
not to break anyone else again
*
yes
we are all monsters in captivity
so mercy can walk again
so love can tame
don’t try to explain it
*
i don’t care if this is one big reverie
you’re dreaming it too
*
even the man in costume
behind a pulpit
could choose
a single moment
where mercy outweighs hunger
and yet
he prays for forgiveness from God
not from the ones he broke
*
you’re in this curse with me
and
blood is our only redemption
*
the only conviction i know
is a flower
that doesn’t even know—
it’s a flower
*
this sphere doesn’t exist
for a world of wild hearts
to claw the globe
About the Creator
Natasha Collazo
Selected Writer in Residency, Champagne France ---2026
The Diary of an emo Latina OUT NOW
https://a.co/d/0jYT7RR
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
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Poetry Workshop
Previously, I published my first ever exclusive story on Vocal. If you’ve subscribed to my work, then you have access to it. Thank YOU for your support. I hope to make each read worth your while. So with that, I’ll be posting insights for exclusive readers only, such as a workshop on my craft. The hows and who’s of my stories. Pretty much revealing my secrets on how I write with you. So welcome fam, and let’s get started!
By Natasha CollazoExclusive • about a year ago
Day 4 of Quitting
If this is how sobriety feels, maybe it’s better to go through life a little buzzed… this, along with other hits like, I want to kill myself, I wish I was dead, and I’m going to throw myself off a bridge have been the only thoughts on rotation these past few days. I promise myself that if, in a month, I still feel like this (‘this’ meaning despondent, full of rage, and simultaneously numb) I can go back to smoking. Until mid-February though? Nicotine is off the table.
By sleepy drafts6 days ago in Longevity
Comments (20)
Congratulations. I would be honored if you would take a look at some of my work.
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Well written Natasha. Congratulations on your win
Congrats on your win 🎉🎉
I love how you put us into a vulnerable position, quite literally. Then reveal the sickening truth of a child holding a gun. Poison.. tw- Oh my gosh. This is so dark. I mean it started out dark but I didnt- Damn. I do agree. We are all freaks. I like that you went in about your will, that its founded on something trembling. 'You're dreaming it' after all that has been said, this line brought a powerful twist. A flower that doesn't even know it's a flower 🤯 take the crown Natasha. You did it! Congratulations on your win in the challenge 🤗❤️🎉🎉🎉
Oh this is raw. The win was well deserved, ditto the top story placement. Such powerful words, chosen and laid out all in their right places. Great job!
Congratulations on top story...this was well worth the read
Nicely done, Natasha! The opening quickly got my attention and then you followed through with a hard-hitting ending!
Congrats on TS!!!
Amazing
Congrats on top story - this poem is absolutely brilliant x
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Great and thought provoking, thankyou for sharing and well done on Top Story xx
Lovely!
Especially love the title, instantly curious, I had to click on it. Really great work
Natasha, are you kidding me?? This was absolutely phenomenal. I’m lost for words, truly.
Great piece. People remember to ask forgiveness from God, but seem to think people will just forgive them by, I don't know what, osmosis. You get forgiveness when you apologize. That's Gods deal. too. 👏👏👏
Life can be very scary and sometimes things can be other than they seem
This is a true painting of humanity in poetry form. I love the photo of the innocent flower, too. I love this, Natasha.
Whoaaaa, this was so hard hitting, especially the last three lines! Loved your poem!