Blog Voices from Our Community

Read stories, updates, and reflections from artists, staff, and survivors. Here, we share the heart of Awakenings — one post at a time.

Simple black and white line drawing of a bird perched on a diagonal branch, with its beak open as if singing.

Truth Found Me in the Trauma

Nothing can change the truth, and this is a beautiful source of solace for Mary-Elizabeth Meagher. Other survivors’ stories about sexual violence helped Meagher come

  • Memoir, Prose
Simple black and white line drawing of a bird perched on a diagonal branch, with its beak open as if singing.

Treatment or Trauma? I Wasn’t Sure. But Now I Am.

“Harrassment and assault can happen anywhere.” This reminder in Mary-Elizabeth Meagher’s piece is accompanied by powerful self-reflection. Healing isn’t easy, and Meagher takes us through

  • Memoir, Prose
Simple black and white line drawing of a bird perched on a diagonal branch, with its beak open as if singing.

In November

Karissa skillfully writes about the experience of living as a silent survivor and, when she felt ready, breaking that silence. With “In November,” she illustrates

  • Memoir
Simple black and white line drawing of a bird perched on a diagonal branch, with its beak open as if singing.

Bad Dreams

This letter by Addison Post, a response to our June prompt, opens in a version of reality that’s difficult to interpret — a dream. Post,

  • Memoir, Prose
Simple black and white line drawing of a bird perched on a diagonal branch, with its beak open as if singing.

My Voice

Dr. Reverend Barbara Edema has been a frequent contributor to Awakenings publications, and we’re pleased to share more of her encouraging, affirming message. In this

  • Essay, Memoir, Prose
Simple black and white line drawing of a bird perched on a diagonal branch, with its beak open as if singing.

Kills 99.9% of Germs

Jorie Rao delves skillfully into the aftermath of an assault. The piece explores the tiny sensory details that form whole memories and how those memories

  • Memoir, Prose
Simple black and white line drawing of a bird perched on a diagonal branch, with its beak open as if singing.

This is a Normal Bus Ride

This skillful piece by Allison Linne highlights not only the experience of sexual violence, but also all the complicated emotions that come after. Linne tells

  • Memoir
Simple black and white line drawing of a bird perched on a diagonal branch, with its beak open as if singing.

If You’ve Got a Bell to Ring…Ring It

Thinking back to Kavanaugh’s appointment to the Supreme Court, Wendi White examines her own experience as a member of the same generation. With an open,

  • All Authors, Memoir, Prose
Simple black and white line drawing of a bird perched on a diagonal branch, with its beak open as if singing.

My Black Shoes from Paris

It’s an empowering decision to be open about an experience of sexual violence for the first time. Ann Casapini contributes to the narrative of so

  • All Authors, All Formats, Memoir
Simple black and white line drawing of a bird perched on a diagonal branch, with its beak open as if singing.

Once Greek, Always Greek

Catharine Jones tells of a homecoming, but it isn’t so straightforward. She discusses the relationship between her identity as a survivor and the other aspects

  • All Authors, Memoir
Simple black and white line drawing of a bird perched on a diagonal branch, with its beak open as if singing.

Dad

Sandra Shaw Homer takes us through the complicated years of her childhood with grace and skill. It’s a piece that speaks to the prevalence of

  • Memoir, Prose
Simple black and white line drawing of a bird perched on a diagonal branch, with its beak open as if singing.

a (wo)Man’s world

Sometimes, simply watching a movie can be interrupted by sudden confrontations with a past trauma. Katie takes her readers through one of these tough, quiet

  • All Authors, All Formats, Memoir
Simple black and white line drawing of a bird perched on a diagonal branch, with its beak open as if singing.

I wanted to feel your warmth…

In this piece, Taylor Finn explores memory and forgetting, forgiveness and acceptance. How can the forgiveness once directed towards the partner now be redirected towards

  • All Authors, All Formats, Memoir
Logo for Awakened Voices Literary Magazine. Features a silhouette of a face on the left with colorful, overlapping waveforms extending from the mouth to the right.

Watching for the Man by Tam Francis

I wake to a man crouching by my bed in the dark. His body hunches between the two twin mattresses, each bed pushed against opposite

  • Memoir
Logo for Awakened Voices Literary Magazine. Features a silhouette of a face on the left with colorful, overlapping waveforms extending from the mouth to the right.

Eviction Notice by Beverly James

“See me,” I whisper. “See me! See me!” I am startled by the screams that come from outside of my body, and I am surprised

  • Memoir

Create, connect, & heal

Find your place in our circle of creators, where every artistic choice is valid and every emotion is welcome. Healing isn’t linear, nor a path you have to walk alone.

Donate to support survivors