An Ode to Papers - By Nasreen Thasleem

Written By: Nasreen Thasleem

Category: An Ode to Papers

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Introducing Nasreen Thasleem's evocative submission, "An Ode to Papers," in the Poetry category for the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. In this poignant piece, Nasreen offers a heartfelt tribute to the humble piece of paper, exploring its role as a keeper of memories and emotions. Through her poetic lens, she invites readers to reflect on the intimate relationship between paper and the human experience, capturing the delicate balance of past, present, and future.

About the Work

"An Ode to Papers" is a beautifully crafted poem that delves into themes of memory, emotion, and the written word. Nasreen Thasleem masterfully employs vivid imagery and reflective introspection to convey the paper's silent yet profound role in our lives. The poem's mood is both nostalgic and intimate, offering a touching acknowledgment of paper's ability to capture fleeting thoughts and unspoken feelings. Nasreen's work encourages readers to appreciate the simple, yet significant, medium of paper as a vessel for personal expression.

Poetry

Original Submission by Nasreen Thasleem

An Ode to Papers

It’s time to thank you, dear papers, at last,

For keeping the pieces of futures and pasts.

For holding the ink of emotions untold,

The stories too fragile for lips to unfold.

Oh the scribbles that wandered without any aim,

And the words written twice, then erased all the same.

Oh the tears that fell softly and blurred every line,

For feelings too tangled to put into rhyme.

You held all the questions I couldn't explain,

And words that I wrote just to soften the pain.

The ordinary details, a date worth to remind,

A dream I was almost ashamed to write.

Perhaps you were only doing what you were made to do,

A surface for the ink, a place for thoughts to come through.

Isn't it strange how something so easily torn

Can hold the weight of hearts that feel worn?

One day your edges will turn yellow, your corners curl with age,

The ink will fade into your fibres, like footsteps off a page.

Even so, You kept a little of me when I had nowhere to turn.

Here I am dear paper, see the ink beneath my hand?

I'm still placing pieces of myself you'll never understand.

Thank you dear papers.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating the diverse voices and talents of writers worldwide. This competition seeks to inspire creativity and foster a global community of literary enthusiasts. Participants from across the globe share their unique perspectives through poetry and prose, making it a vibrant showcase of contemporary writing.

Thank you, Nasreen Thasleem, for sharing your touching piece, "An Ode to Papers," with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your work beautifully encapsulates the silent strength of paper in holding our personal histories and emotions. We appreciate your participation and look forward to more of your creative expressions.

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.