Poetry Archive

A collection of poems published in Vox Viola, featuring diverse voices and styles from women-identifying poets exploring identity, relationships, and social commentary.

Each poem in this archive carries the weight of a lived experience, shaped by voices that have too often been asked to soften. Here, the personal becomes political, and the intimate becomes universal. The poets featured across these pages write from intersections of identity, exploring what it means to exist as a woman in a world that frequently demands silence. Their lines weave together grief and joy, anger and tenderness, creating a tapestry of emotional truth that resonates long after the final stanza. These are not merely verses on a page but invitations to witness, to feel, and to recognize the profound power of a woman's story told on her own terms.

The poetry gathered here reflects a commitment to intersectional feminism, embracing contributors of every race, age, ability, and background. Each piece offers a distinct lens through which to examine identity, relationships, and the quiet revolutions of daily life. Some poems confront systemic injustice with unflinching clarity, while others celebrate the small, radiant moments of connection and self-discovery. What unites them is an unwavering honesty and a refusal to look away from the complexities of womanhood. Readers will find echoes of their own experiences within these lines, as well as perspectives that challenge and expand their understanding of the world.

Vox Viola was founded on the belief that women's voices deserve not only to be heard but to be celebrated with the same reverence afforded to any literary tradition. This poetry archive stands as a testament to that mission, collecting works that span styles from free verse to formal structures, from raw confession to lyrical meditation. The poems explore themes of belonging, resistance, love, and loss, each one a carefully crafted reflection of its author's unique perspective. In reading them, we participate in an ongoing conversation about what it means to tell our truths, to reclaim narratives, and to build a community rooted in mutual respect and creative expression.

The act of writing poetry can be a revolutionary gesture, particularly for those whose stories have been historically silenced. Within these archived pages, readers will discover poems that dare to speak openly about the body, about desire, about grief, and about the quiet fury of being misunderstood. Each piece arrives as a gift of vulnerability, offering a window into a life being lived with intention and courage. The editors of Vox Viola have curated this collection with care, ensuring that every voice finds its rightful place in the chorus. As you move through these poems, allow yourself to pause, to sit with the discomfort, and to celebrate the beauty of words reclaimed.

Pioneers

Madison BertenshawMay 29, 2020

Madison Mae Bertenshaw is a poet and writer living in Colorado. She received her MFA from the Poets and Writers Program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Her work has appeared in Route 9 and Persona.

Men at a party just trying to forge a human connection

Ciara McLarenMay 29, 2020

Ciara McLaren is a writer and English literature scholar whose work explores the textures of everyday encounters.

Charlotte*

Vox Viola

A lyrical meditation on namesake and selfhood, published in the magazine's early issues.

A Gaping Wound

Vox Viola

An unflinching poem confronting loss and the body's memory of grief.

Astronomy

Vox Viola

Stars and silence intertwine in this contemplative piece about distance and longing.

Resuscitation

Vox Viola

A vivid work tracing the fragile line between breath and stillness.

Describing is almost like understanding

Vox Viola

Language and perception collide in this inventive poem about the limits of articulation.