A Wink - By Milana Bhullar

Written By: Milana Bhullar

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

We are pleased to present "A Wink," a remarkable poem by Milana Bhullar, who writes under the name Daffodils. This piece is a part of the highly regarded Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Milana's work, submitted in the poetry category, explores profound themes of love and loss, capturing the reader's imagination with its vivid imagery and emotional depth.

About the Work

"A Wink" is a stirring exploration of love entwined with sorrow. Milana Bhullar crafts a narrative rich in emotion, using evocative imagery to portray a tale of affection and heartbreak. The poem's mood oscillates between tender reminiscence and poignant loss, deftly capturing the essence of fleeting moments and the haunting permanence of memory through its lyrical style.

Daffodils

Original Submission by Milana Bhullar

A wink I don’t sleep with a mind too laden,

And a wink I don’t after when my thoughts are like air,

Beads of salt roll down my skin as if I’m a maiden,

Yet the blooms sway without a bloody care.

I lay with ebbing pleasure,

And feel with disgust my heart steadily beat,

I cache among empty bottles that colour my mind so,

The voice of her song I will never again meet,

And still the flowers move and wave in an unburdened hello.

Their petals billow gently like her pure, diaphanous dress,

Their gold a mere rusting penny when met with her smile,

Her face fallen and pallid after I’d yes,

A fat diamond on her ring finger I slid,

Before we threaded down the aisle.

She donned a tight apron and hummed not for the mean flowers’ dance,

Her hair down and wild, mingling with the breeze,

She kneaded thick dough with nothing in her glance,

Her ring; not dusted white, from when she slipped it off with ease

As the flowers rocked slightly in the night to only the sounds of our barking mutt,

I’d slept and I dreamt of this woman I love,

She was laying next to me when all my comfort she’d gut,

As she ran with a cry and left her beloved.

I ran even as brass monkey air shaved the insides of my throat,

I screamed till its shrill travelled through the night and my mouth grew hot,

I felt my heart prune and the column in my neck bloat,

The way of flowers pointed to where she was a blot.

Even as a smudge of dull colour I thought she was marvellous,

Even as she’d stayed small no matter how I’d ran,

Even as she through to the crowd of egging flowers,

The banded rock she treated anomalous,

Even as she jumped;

It was all my life before she’d reach land.

I felt the starkers earth beneath the pads of my feet,

I felt yellow flowers crush under my knees,

I cradled her ring to my heart that still beat;

Hers would never again despite my soaring pleas.

The stars continued to flicker and stones continued to gleam,

My eyes would only ever shut and see her erase from that lonely cliff,

Her red frame and quiet fall would forever haunt my fleeting dreams,

Even after a silent walk or I had later breathed in seven spliffs.

I’d hobbled like a sailor down the dancing meadow,

The awful flowers were muted but didn’t sit still at my expense,

I stepped into the air as she did then and felt my screams echo,

I really did never fall in love again.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar continues to be a distinguished platform for writers worldwide, celebrating creativity and literary excellence. The competition invites writers to share their unique voices and stories, fostering a global community of literary enthusiasts.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Milana Bhullar for sharing "A Wink" with us as part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Milana's poignant narrative and vivid imagery bring a deep emotional resonance to the competition. We look forward to witnessing more of her exceptional talent 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.