A Dream in Ruins - By Frans Angala Amutenya

Written By: Frans Angala Amutenya

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Frans Angala Amutenya presents "A Dream in Ruins," a thought-provoking poem featured in the Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Through this reflective piece, Amutenya explores themes of lost dreams and personal conflict. His work delves into the profound journey of self-discovery and the search for meaning and virtue in a world driven by materialism.

About the Work

"A Dream in Ruins" captures the poignant struggle of striving for purpose amidst societal pressures. Frans Angala Amutenya's poem reflects on the inner turmoil of losing one's ideals and the yearning for a more meaningful existence. The emotive language and vivid imagery evoke a sense of nostalgia and introspection, resonating deeply with readers seeking to reconnect with their lost aspirations and inner peace.

A dream in ruins

Original Submission by Frans Angala Amutenya

Title: A Dream in Ruins

Author: Frans A. Amutenya

Country: Namibia

Category: Poetry

Email: fransamutenya499@gmail.com

________________

A Dream in Ruins

I feel as though I have fallen.

I am breaking

and I choose no one to tell.

I don't know how to pursue happiness

in this state.

I feel as though I have fallen.

I used to uphold standards

the world was trying to put away with,

but now I have joined them.

Where is my honour?

My inner conviction has left me.

I had dreams of serving a greater good

for a people.

I valued purpose over pleasure,

but these days I have grown wilfully ignorant.

When I was younger,

I thought about art, music,

and the beauty of people.

I wanted to be a poet,

a storyteller,

a librarian.

To sell books in the corner of a quiet town.

To spend my days

uprooting words from my soul,

as I seek to find love within.

My days to be filled with virtue and honour,

for my word to mean something in this world.

To be like Ned Stark,

to inspire nobility.

To be those people with a natural warmth,

a kindness that shines through anything.

I wanted to shout similes

and write metaphors on walls.

Now all I think about is money.

More than success, I sought peace.

I have failed as a Stoic.

I have lost my virtue.

What is this but a dream in ruins?

I want to re-invent this soul —

erase all they taught it to be.

I hope this pain makes me patient.

I hope this pain grants me grace.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating the art of poetry and creative writing. It showcases the diverse voices and stories from around the world, encouraging writers to express their creativity and share their unique perspectives through the written word.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Frans Angala Amutenya for sharing "A Dream in Ruins" with us. His participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 enriches our understanding of the complexities of dreams and self-discovery. We look forward to seeing more of his evocative work in the future.

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.