Latest Stories

Most recently published stories on Vocal.

Power Rendered as Structure
Political titles rarely appear in abstract painting without some degree of irony. When they do, they often function as commentary—an external reference layered over a purely formal composition.
By Thelma Goldenabout 10 hours ago in Art
I Value my Freedom
I have many degrees, high quality, but no job, situations did not allow it. And I am also repelled by being tethered to a cubicle,
By Seema Patelabout 10 hours ago in Poets
Sunflower
cheerful sunflower turning with the sun above little sun in garden Note: Of all the flowers in the garden, the sunflower is one. It is a daisy family flower, giving stature to the garden, nectar to bees, and seeds to the finches. I love to munch on the seeds too.
By Seema Patelabout 10 hours ago in Poets
No Free Worlds
The line between ethical values is a blur by the so called leaders of the "free world" we have seen actions recently from world leaders which would suggest how being morally ambiguous is the only real playing card to pursue self perceived ideals of peace and globalisation under whichever interpretation they choose under their own terms. The free world doesn't necessarily equate to having a collective choice on how we interpret and shape the rules of freedom outside the sphere of an already heiriarchal and outdated diplomatic system which seems to benefit only those at the top of the economic ladder aka the original designers so to speak of the free world, ironically the original colonisers and destroyers of freedom.
By Malachai Houghabout 10 hours ago in Humans
Wheat and weeds, Part 5
The conversation felt weak and unbalanced; The interlocutor in that video often doesn’t know basic historical facts. And that’s not my imagination. When someone with weak historical grounding interviews someone who is very confident but not academically trained, the result is exactly what I sensed: a conversation that sounds bold and revolutionary but collapses the moment one check it against real scholarship.
By CA'Di LUCE * Confessions & Memories in Conversations with friends!/ It’s not a revolution—it’s a quiet evolution.about 10 hours ago in Confessions
Resident Evil Requiem is the Perfect Ending for Leon Kennedy in the Resident Evil Franchise
I'm not exactly sure what Capcom has in store for Leon's character in the Resident Evil franchise, but if his journey does end with Resident Evil 9, then this is the perfect send off for his character. Resident Evil Requiem is linked to the past of Leon, when it comes to what he went through in Raccoon City. This was an unexpected twist; and while this game is also Grace's story, Leon's story was connected so well to the rest of the game.
By Emy Quinnabout 10 hours ago in Gamers
City of plague:A new Yorker’s pandemic chronicle Pt 24.
The Spring My Daughter Graduated During the Pandemic One afternoon, my younger daughter, Rainbow, came home from school with a question that seemed simple at the time.
By Peterabout 10 hours ago in Fiction
The Mysterious Land of Myths and Legends that Captivated Harun al-Rashid and Mughal Emperors
Ladakh, often referred to as “Little Tibet,” is a mesmerizing region nestled in the northernmost part of India, between the towering peaks of the Himalayas and the Karakoram range. Known for its barren landscapes, pristine monasteries, and unique culture, Ladakh has long captivated explorers, historians, and rulers alike. It is a land of mystery, rich in myths and legends, and its history is intertwined with the stories of great empires, including that of the Abbasid Caliph Harun al-Rashid and the Mughal emperors.
By Irshad Abbasi about 10 hours ago in History
Lapis in Eternum: Chapter 8. AI-Generated.
The air in Aurora’s sanctuary tasted of copper and old parchment, a dry, metallic tang that coated Charon’s tongue like a layer of dust. Outside, the rain of the lower sectors continued its rhythmic assault against the reinforced glass of the high-arched windows, but inside, the silence was heavy, punctuated only by the erratic, wet thrumming of the obsidian gem embedded in Charon’s chest. It wasn't just glowing anymore. It was vibrating, a low-frequency hum that seemed to resonate with the very marrow of his bones, threatening to shake his skeletal structure into a pile of calcium shards.
By Eris Willowabout 10 hours ago in Fiction
City of plague:A new Yorker’s pandemic chronicle Pt 23.
A small pandemic incident that taught me an unexpected lesson about work, responsibility, and knowing one’s place. One morning during the long months of pandemic lockdown, I received an unexpected phone call from Ms. Lin.
By Peterabout 10 hours ago in Fiction
Exhaustion of Motherhood
Sometimes I wonder if all mothers feel guilty for the strange things. I hear all the time that no one could possibly be my son’s mother except me. I think that is true for all parents. I think that we should be the ones that our kids need. Children deserve patience, love, and understanding.
By Brooke Moranabout 10 hours ago in Families
5 Binge-Worthy Bombshells Ready to Break Into Your Feed. AI-Generated.
There’s a certain kind of energy you feel when a new wave of digital goddesses starts claiming their space, and right now, it’s impossible to ignore. These women aren’t just showing up on your feed, they’re redefining what it means to own it, blending confidence, beauty, and presence into something that hits different. Every post feels intentional, every look calculated, every move pulling you deeper into their world without even trying.
By The SYRÉN Indexabout 10 hours ago in Filthy