It's only me or is difficult to read?
There is barely a separation between the posts.
The template looks similar to the recent posts page, but with some difference.
/me thinks the two should be merged.
Sorry, didn't get you.
The two layouts are about the same, so I'd think they could use the same template, maybe a new compact_bla_bla or something. A little more separation may help, but can also begin to look quite ugly IMO Maybe use the mini avatar at the top left of each one would help?
hmm...the avatar may help, interesting idea.
The "recent" is more readable (to me at least) I think because it has all the buttons on the right that create a "border" between the messages.
Might work: round corners of the message box; colorize box frame differently than horizontal separator; slight hue for the title section (both text and bgnd).