A Toast - By Jorge Luis González Gordillo

Written By: Jorge Luis González Gordillo

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Experience the evocative poem "A Toast" by Jorge Luis González Gordillo, part of the Poetry category in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This reflective piece resonates with themes of youth, celebration, and personal growth, capturing the essence of fleeting moments and the journey of life. Jorge invites readers to reminisce and reflect through his lyrical expression and poignant imagery.

About the Work

"A Toast" is a nostalgic journey through the highs and lows of youth, set against the backdrop of lively gatherings and personal introspection. The poem's rhythmic cadence and vivid imagery create a dynamic narrative that oscillates between celebration and contemplation. It encourages readers to acknowledge their past while looking forward, blending sentiments of triumph and vulnerability.

A Toast

Original Submission by Jorge Luis González Gordillo

To the backyard tented parties. To five hundred pressing bodies. To the DJ’s and to House bass bumping loud from giant speakers. To the muddy jeans and sneakers.

To my boys and to the dancing

To ephemeral nights, entrancing.

To the many troubled years

To the laughter and the tears

To the youth and to the young and

To when everything seemed wrong

Thought it easy just to say- I found my way. Somewhere near’s a shore, somewhere’s a bay

To those who healed and found their way.

To when you come back looking, “Hey,”

So here’s the toast, I’ve changed to water

Spirits haunt me-heal me father

I’m imperfect, to my knees I’ve fallen

Halls of empty caved around me I bled and begged, “Oh, save me, mother.”

Thought of trumpets loud triumphant

Found the mirrored stare of some lost infant

Some surrendered form, I crave hereafter

To when they speak their old words

Broken down-not getting

And say that there’s nothing here

And when they call me unpolished and weird

And don’t get what I’m trying to do here

To what you’ll say

By the end will I have found my way?

Will you have heard it all the same way?

All the bad parts weren’t great times but I can’t live in the past.

To the past and going forward, to the last word and the foreword

To the book, hey y’all look! To the finish! I am finished! To the finish! I am finished!

To the quiets and the shouters, to the art kids and the clown ones

To the music and the laughter, to the friends and ever after, to the good times and the bad times

To the high-school-mind-gone-mad-times.

To the young and the alive, to the youth that cannot die

To celebrating new times, and to me times and to you times. To the long fight, to the new wave.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating diverse voices across the world. This competition invites writers to showcase their creativity and express their unique perspectives through poetry and prose. Participants engage in a global dialogue, contributing to a vibrant tapestry of contemporary literature.

We extend our gratitude to Jorge Luis González Gordillo for sharing "A Toast" with us. His contribution to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 enriches our collective understanding of youth and transformation. We appreciate the depth and sincerity captured in this reflective piece.

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.