A Chair - Empty - By Jessica Rusch

Written By: Jessica Rusch

Category: Creative Non-Fiction – Memoirs, biographies, real-life stories

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In her entry for the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Jessica Rusch presents "A Chair - Empty," a touching piece in the Creative Writing category. Through evocative prose, Jessica invites readers into a world of personal reflection and emotional depth. Her work captures the essence of loss and the enduring hope that accompanies it. The narrative's vivid imagery and heartfelt emotion create a profound exploration of human resilience.

About the Work

"A Chair - Empty" is a beautifully crafted narrative that delves into themes of loss, memory, and healing. Jessica Rusch uses powerful imagery and a reflective tone to convey the emotional weight of an empty chair at a dinner table. The piece captures the quiet persistence of hope and the bittersweet memories of relationships and dreams unfulfilled. The mood is both poignant and introspective, inviting readers to contemplate their own experiences of absence and hope.

A Chair - Empty

Original Submission by Jessica Rusch

A Chair - Empty

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At every dinner, an extra chair stayed at the table, quietly reminding them it was there.

Three chairs were for the children who visited when the courts allowed. One was for the man she loved. One was hers.

The sixth chair was for someone who never came.

Once, they looked through a microscope at small circles of light, hoping for what might grow. Twice, those hopes faded away.

Still, she kept the chair there.

One night, her phone beamed with a photo: the first boy she loved, his wife, and their newborn. Behind them were the people who once helped her when she was struggling.

She put the phone face down, attempting to block out the image and the pain it brought.

Her husband reached across the table and took her hand.

Outside, thunder grumbled across the sky.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

She wanted to tell him about the road that almost took her life. About the countries she had traveled through, the prayers she had lost, and the children who were gone too soon.

Instead, she looked toward the empty chair.

“No,” she said.

Then she moved closer to her him.

Outside the window, rain started to fall on the dry ground.

It did not fall gently.

It was not enough to heal the earth.

But it was enough for something under the surface to remember how to live.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious event celebrating literary creativity across multiple genres. It provides a platform for writers worldwide to showcase their talents and share their unique voices. The competition embraces diverse storytelling, encouraging participants to express their thoughts and emotions through poetry and prose.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Jessica Rusch for sharing "A Chair - Empty" with the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her work resonates deeply, offering an introspective journey through themes of loss and resilience. We are grateful for her contribution and look forward to more of her poignant storytelling.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.