š¢ Raise Your Voice Thread: 07/17/2025
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Kenny Minker's poem 'The Same Stream, Twice' explores how memory and change can reshape the places we thought we knew.
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Raise Your Voice by Vocal
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š¢ Raise Your Voice Thread: 07/03/2025
Our āRaise Your Voice Threadsā 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 Vocal6 months ago in Resources
'20/20'
"Do It Again" the track that would ultimately open the Beach Boys final album on Capitol Records which was released on February 10th 1969 had originally been released as a single in August of 1968. The track was the first of many post-Pet Sounds era throwbacks to the early Beach Boys sound which would become continually more cliched and eventually lead the Beach Boys to the level of self-parody they would eventually succumb to in the 1980s while their closest contemporaries The Beatles nearing the end of their run in 1969 would go on to be viewed as the most influential band of all time. However, the song itself is not bad on its surface, and it opens with a futuristic sounding (for 1969) drumbeat captured by then-Beach Boys engineer Stephen Desper using tape delays on the drums performed by Dennis Wilson and John Guerin. The song has been re-recorded numerous times over the years on various Beach Boys-related projects most notably the 2011 re-recording at Capitol studios featuring the five surviving Beach Boys at the time backed instrumentally by various members of both the Brian Wilson Band and Mike Loves touring "Beach Boys" to promote the then upcoming Beach Boys 50th Anniversary reunion tour in 2012. The hammering and power drill sound at the end of the song was an excerpt from a track called "Workshop" that was to be a part of the uncompleted "SMiLE" album.
By Sean Callaghan4 days ago in Beat
A Failed Artist, A Disillusioned Poet, An Underpaid Game Show Host
I took my son and niece to Gori, a small town in Georgia where Joseph Stalin was born. They talked me into visiting the Stalin's Museum, the largest in the post-Soviet space. I had resisted going there because I just can't stand the monster and know enough about him, or so I thought.
By Lana V Lynx4 days ago in FYI
Comments (29)
Can boys' voices also be raised?
Very Nice
There are so many great ones! Iāve been enjoying Tim Carmichael. Iāll share a lovely poem by him, but consider reading others as well! https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/where-the-light-touches%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Everything looks better from the distance. It can be a city, a country, a person, anything. But when you get closer, you realise what you thought was the best is not so. Why do we value what we donāt have when perhaps what we have closer is better for us? This is the concept presented by Mike in a microfiction that is a delight to read and also teaches us a lesson. I highly recommend you to read, give it a thought, and appreciate this fantastic micro-fiction story by Mike Singleton. Itās also part of one the official challenges: https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/from-a-distance-wp61ht06dh%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
I want to recommend Mike Singletonās Loch Ness Monsieur for your reading delight. This is a poem that is so much fun to read, for a change. Poetry doesnāt have to be sad and dramatic all the time. Poetry can and should bring a smile or even laugh as well. I personally appreciate this kind of poetry that Mike writes because it gives me a break from my own problems and depression. I rarely find this kind of writing/poetry rewarded as Top Story. Why is that? We all need to take a break from sadness every now and then, donāt we? Read this below and than me later for the smiles you get. :) https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/loch-ness-monsieur%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
šššššš
Hi šš¾I write short stories and the occasional poem, while procrastinating from actually finishing my first novel. Two pieces I read over the last fortnight that stuck out to me were: Picture This by Caroline Craven, which is a very funny look at what might happen if Mona Lisa came alive each night. Think Night At The Museum story vibes! Witty and sharp, this one. https://shopping-feedback.today/art/picture-this-eifs40fb8%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E and La Huerfana by DK Shephard, which is without a doubt one of the best pieces I've read on here. The characters feel real, the story is clever and also a little heartbreaking. https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/la-huerfan%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E Happy reading! :)
"Quiet strength, unrequited love "by Sandy Gillman at https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/quiet-strength-unrequited-love%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E Tiffany Gordon's birthday poem at https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/today-i-turn-51%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E Susan Fourtane's "little flower by the path" https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/little-flower-by-the-path%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E Julie Lacksonen's "Growing pains" at https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/growing-pains-i7ff0hmi%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Here are my recommendations for Top Story Status this week Check out this from John Dodge https://shopping-feedback.today/beat/songs-i-woke-up-to-dadi-freyr-dadi-and-gagnamagnid-think-about-things%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E Great to see Babs Iversen back https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/overjoy%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E Excellent thoughts from Darkos https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/everyone-is-a-millionaire%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E A nice piece on Coriander by Lisa Briskey https://shopping-feedback.today/longevity/coriander-kj1jhv01ym%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E A Great Wander Piece from Matty Long https://shopping-feedback.today/wander/spring-break-in-summer%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
A few Iād like to give a yell for: The veritable Paul Stuartās refined and elegant poetry fit for a king (Top Story worthy, haha! Please, Vocal): https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/semantic-satiation-and-other-fatal-ejaculations%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E The lovable River and Celia in Underland, with Riverās incredible voice reading it, for this amazing poem: https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/outdoor-child%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E The wonderful Marilyn Glover with a unique and hypnotic poem, which I loved: https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/mercury-in-retrograde-a-speedy-transit-for-disappearing%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Assalamu Alaikum, dear creators! Iām Mahmood Afridi, a poet who writes for the unheard and unseen moments of life. In pieces like āI Write, But No One Seesā and āWhere My Words Went Unheard,ā I try to give a voice to silence and to those quiet aches we carry within. ā¤ļø Iād love to highlight Moonlight on Paper, whose poem āPoppyās Silent Tearā touched my soul with its fragile yet powerful emotion. It reminded me how words can heal even when spoken in whispers. Letās continue lifting each otherās voicesābecause every story matters.
Caroline Cravin wrote an emotional banger: https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/coming-up-for-air%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Thanks so much for the mention!
Iām Moonlight on Paper, a poet whose heart speaks through the quiet ache of unspoken emotionsāseen in my poems like āPoppyās Silent Tearā, āThe Silence That Loved Me Backā, and āEchoes of Silent Tearsā I explore the gentle weight of silence, hidden grief, and moments that words alone canāt hold. ā¤ļø I also want to highlight Rupi Kaur and her stunning piece āMilk and Honeyāāher work combines simplicity with deep emotional truth and has helped millions connect with poetry en.wikipedia.org . If you havenāt yet, her writing is incredibly moving. Thanks for this platform to share and connect! Please feel free to check out my work and let me know how it resonates with you. https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/poppy-s-silent-tear%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
A bit of a deep cut here, but this runner up by A.J. Schoenfeld deserves much more praise and engagement. This is the kind of human story that reminds us why writing these things down is soooo important. https://shopping-feedback.today/history/where-the-sun-meets-the-earth%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Loves this poem by Ulf Ragnarson done for Poppyās latest prompt: https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/a-throne-of-unlived-days%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Nate- Mental Health Perspectives,Self Awareness, Poet.
It is impossible to get around this one. Please read and support, not the writers but the matter, because it matters!! https://shopping-feedback.today/humans/we-didn-t-win-this-was-not-a-win%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Kendall Defoe: https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/deepliest-thoughts%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Julie Lacksonen : latest entry to a Vocal Challenge https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/growing-pains-i7ff0hmi%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Rick Henry Christopher latest story bring humor : https://shopping-feedback.today/humor/miss-gloria-wins-the-grand-prize%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E I hope he turn into a series
I donāt have anything of my own I want to share but I just want to name drop a few writers and poets who have really impressed me. This site is full of tremendous talent, and I follow so many that this list is by no means complete. But Iāve been meaning to shout out other authors for a while and the following names masters of the craft, definitely worth a read! Long list, but I wish I could write as well as these folks, so check them out! https://shopping-feedback.today/authors/river-and-celia-in-underland%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E (Really impressed by the poetry on this pageā very personal, poignant, and compelling. Also, full of well-reasoned, articulate, and eye-opening social commentary which I really admire.) https://shopping-feedback.today/authors/caroline-craven%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E (Incredible fiction! The story telling skill showcased by Caroline makes me feel jealous.) https://shopping-feedback.today/authors/dharrsheena-raja-segarran%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E (Dharrsheena doesnāt post new stuff as often as I hope for, but check out her poems! Dark themes and surgically precise word choice.) https://shopping-feedback.today/authors/cindy-id2p07nu%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E (another who doesnāt have any super recent writing, but generally the stuff Cindy has already published on here is really incredible. Her talent is for personal writing that feels packed with emotion without feeling overdramatic.) https://shopping-feedback.today/authors/addison-alder%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E (I WISH I could write like Addison. If you like horror, absolutely check this page. This is the kind of stuff I wish I had the skill to write.) https://shopping-feedback.today/authors/cathy-christine-acheini-ben-ameh%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E (I canāt pretend to keep up with her content, thereās so much of it Iām in awe of the volume. But donāt let the post rate discourage you from giving her page a shot, itās absolutely top notch. Everything I have read from Christine is nearly flawless. Sheās also a songwriter which is cool.) https://shopping-feedback.today/authors/caitlin-charlton-gv6f0u8f%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E (really powerful poetry and rich story tellingā often accompanied with her own photography which gives her posts an personal touch that I really value. https://shopping-feedback.today/authors/r-b-booth%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E (If you like fantasy, you must check out this author! Fantasy isnāt even my go to genre, but I still enjoy the content on this page, and find myself once again feeling jealous of a really undeniable talent.) https://shopping-feedback.today/authors/joe-o-connor%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E (Definitely worth your time if youāre looking for thought provoking pieces with philosophical depth. Definitely presents an intellectual feel, but not in a stale or condescending way. Really enjoyed what Iāve seen so far.) Thatās everybody who comes to mind right now, as far as authors Iām secretly jealous of. And while Iām urging you all to read these folks, I gotta get caught up too, because Iām behind on my subscriptions on this site! Too many awesome writers to keep up with :)
Sandy Gillman always brings reality to the forefront in such a wonderful readable way: https://shopping-feedback.today/families/parenting-burnout-when-parents-don-t-wanna%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E Brilliantly written view on a few film Rachel Robbins recently watched: https://shopping-feedback.today/geeks/not-a-bunch-of-film-reviews%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E Mariann Carroll is doing such a wonderful job sharpening her skills as a fiction writer: https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/i-told-you-so-iefp408w5%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E I am always so grateful for Lamar Wigginsā support as a creator and a friendā¦ I wish to reciprocate a bit here: https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/sol-invictus-fl1sqh0eg5%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
I just read a wonderful story that held my attention and made me shake my head at how close this was to truth, especially in todays world of social media. Scott Christenson https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/another-scroll%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
I loved this story from one of my subs-in this day with all the scams it was nice to see a poignant story with a nice twist https://shopping-feedback.today/humor/miss-gloria-wins-the-grand-prize%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E You will recognize Rick Henry Christopher as he is active in Vocal