Fall 2025

This page provides a brief description of each work in this special issue. To go to a work directly, click the bolded titles. Niaisa Battle, “My House” A concise poem examining how Black women are treated, perceived, and silenced within society. Anonymous, “Cycles” An internal monologue tracing the repetitive nature of depression and mental health struggles, reflecting how pain can return even when healing feels possible. Wendy, “Thanatophobia” A deeply personal piece explori

When I first began to imagine Voices Unheard, it was meant to be a personal healing space. I never felt like I belonged in a safe space to share what I had been through, nor did I feel comfortable expressing my emotions openly. Writing became my refuge. Whether through poetry, short stories, or journal entries, creative writing allowed me to process experiences I did not yet have the words to speak aloud. Even then, sharing my work felt daunting. I rarely felt worthy of submi

And if I could take the weight from your heart, Giving you enough kindness to save your life-- It truly runs me dry, How something so delicate and light could be banished In the words that speak evil of society You've been ripped from the ground, Your roots are rigid and filled with dirt And they torch your petals, The very same ones they've plucked and benefited from

I got so much built up feelings I think I'm gonna implode Don't have a healthy way to deal Guess I just gotta go smoke Or drink to push all the pain away Or I'll just get a lil boo n fuck the feelings away But those are just temporary fixes that'll last a few days Before I get those same bad feelings that make me misbehave I'm so sick of this shit When are these feelings gonna change? These are the best years of my life? There ain't no fucking way There's a lot on my mind and

Afraid of everything Afraid I'll ever be Afraid of everything Afraid I'll ever be You have lived a thousand lives I have only seen this one You have terror in your eyes How could you see me? Are you afraid of me? Afraid afraid afraid I'm afraid I'll ever be Afraid of everything Afraid of you and me Afraid of everything Afraid I'll ever be Afraid of you and me Afraid that's all I'll be Afraid of all the things That will never be You and I have lied Have lived a thousand lives

I hate mirrors and the people in them I wish I could explain my actions But I would have to take you to the beginning Are the gates of Heaven closing Cuz I'm addicted to sinning Sometimes I wish I had been raised different Pursuits of happiness are a dumb excuse I'm always sad at the end, so really, what's the use I tend to always fuck up like I got a curse My momma said I'm like every other man, all I do is hurt On my knees Screaming Mama, what's my worth? Sometimes I think

I started life speaking Spanish in an English classroom. I had a lot to say, but no one could understand me, So I learned silence before I learned confidence. I didn't realize then -- I was already becoming a listener, A quiet observer in a world that talked too loud. By fifth grade, my world was shifting; my parents had separated, My mom was rebuilding from the ground up, My dad loved me, but distance made him a stranger I still tried to impress -- I thought if I could make

She was dipped in dark and filled with light Crow-winged lark, still filled with fright A glowing stark contrast spilled by night Unknowing are those aimed to still her flight Wise patient eyes dart here, guard and guide Rise, oh, ancient heart, fear no stars nor sky Entice no contagious trace of tears he cries Though I am beast, I too had dear spirits die I hold no cards that read my captor's name I sold no part that bled wine after shame For shame be mine? Your stains last

I finally cleaned my childhood bedroom After all these years All the dust is settling deep inside the dressers And all the wars and horrors I've now accepted Are now just years in the past The ghost still haunts the bones of the house But I am slowly getting rid of its grip on me. I threw out the dead flowers From Valentine's Day From being in a play From hurting myself once I threw them all away, and with them my attachments It felt symbolic in the moment At least to me. All

What looks back from the mirror is a scare No matter how hard I try, I can't make it go away That traumatized girl follows me everywhere. My reflection and I are a dangerous pair Making myself bleed is the price that I pay What looks back from the mirror is a scare. Whenever I go out, I always beware Though a brave face is what I display That traumatized girl follows me everywhere. To move on from the past, I cut my hair Yet I still feel nothing compelling me to stay What loo

Thinking back on all the times I'd rather not think about The ones that come up when you're trying to sleep at night Painful memories have a way of sticking to you when you feel most detached from them When you're at your happiest, That's when they have a way of reminding you of all the ways you don't deserve it For me, those memories are all the times that people have taken advantage of me And what I've wanted, But I'm impressionable. So, is it really others' faults that the

No use in being angry anymore It's a well-worn road that guarantees no betterment No improvement to be found in rage, In the hot red of your peripherals No use, And yet it occupies the computer in your chest. You sit in that car Listening to slow and steady breaths And wonder why your eyes are wet Or why your fingertips feel ablaze Your skin is so hot, so warm And it's cause of one thing. No use in it, It's a path of desire in your neurons, It's the most familiar route for yo

I killed my dream Watched it wither up and die in front of my very eyes I'm unworthy of this gift I've been given It's time to forget Pick a new path A new dream Keep your head down low Swallow your pride You've tried every possibility Stop trying to make it work The soul is quiet; it mourns I'm not resentful I don't despise I just sit here and compromise in my mind Trying to find a silver lining Always getting lost in the lie that I tell myself Lying to my soul that this was

I look into the mirror, and all I can see Is an empty galaxy staring back at me My dark chocolate honey combs, they sparkle in the light Once always moving, once full of life Yet unexpectedly, there’s a sudden vacancy A blacked-out sun, blots out the colors Clock strikes out at twelve thirty-three Time’s at a standstill for me I look to my left and see twenty-three of me Each one a fragment of who I was, and meant to be Eyeliner blending with her tears She smiles