An Audience of One - By Norliyana Azman

Written By: Norliyana Azman

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Presenting Norliyana Azman and her poignant poem "An Audience of One," a compelling entry in the Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar. This evocative piece delves into the realms of self-discovery and imagination, creating an intimate narrative that resonates with the solitary journey of personal reflection.

About the Work

In "An Audience of One," Norliyana Azman crafts a vivid exploration of the inner dialogue and personal performances that define the self. The poem's mood is introspective, utilizing rich imagery and a conversational tone to convey the complexity of navigating one's own thoughts and emotions. Through its narrative, the work examines themes of trust, vulnerability, and the ongoing quest for reassurance and self-understanding.

An Audience of One

Original Submission by Norliyana Azman

An Audience of One

By : Norliyana Binti Azman

There was a world with only me and my imagination,

Playing every scenario, I could in my head,

Coming out with every possible dialogue I could,

Then, ‘WHAT IF’ came to the storyboard unannounced,

Being the actor navigating the unknown script was tough,

Sometimes the script was split into several sections,

The ending was uncertain and always a mystery.

My coach, ‘The Mirror’ always had my back,

I stared at the coach for a while, took a deep breath,

Believing that the person in the mirror was the only one who understand me,

The only one I can truly trust with all my heart,

I poured my heart into the performance,

I let everything go sincerely,

Hoping that someone will say, “You’re doing great.”

Sometimes it could take few days,

Sometimes it was just only one episode,

Sometimes it looped like a broken record,

Sometimes the timeline got messed up,

Sometimes the switches between characters became twisted,

Sometimes the storyboard disappeared with the wind,

But then it would always circle back to, “Everything is fine.”

The tears usually stop in the middle of the performance,

My shoulders become lighter than before,

A little spark returned to my eyes,

Deep down I always knew that the eyes lied,

The heart still ached after that heavy performance,

But that main character has to go.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, organized by Hashtag Kalakar, is a prestigious platform celebrating diverse voices and creative expressions from around the world. This competition invites participants to share their original works, fostering a global community of writers and poets who are passionate about their craft.

Thank you, Norliyana Azman, for sharing your introspective piece, "An Audience of One," with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your work offers a profound glimpse into the world of imagination and self-reflection, and we appreciate your contribution to this creative celebration.

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.