Architecture of The Storm - By Halah

Written By: Halah

Category: Prose

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Halah presents "Architecture of The Storm," a poignant entry in the Creative Writing category. This reflective prose invites the reader into a world shaped by personal trials and inner resilience. Through metaphor and introspection, Halah crafts a narrative that explores the complex interplay of life's challenges and the strength found within. Her work is a testament to the human spirit's capacity to endure and transform adversity into a narrative of triumph and self-discovery.

About the Work

"Architecture of The Storm" is a vivid exploration of resilience and self-discovery. Halah uses rich imagery and a reflective tone to delve into the duality of life's challenges and personal growth. The piece artfully employs metaphor, comparing life to a storm and a rose, to illustrate the transformative power of adversity. Through her narrative, Halah captures the essence of embracing one's struggles and emerging stronger, offering readers a profound message of hope and perseverance.

Architecture of The Storm

Original Submission by Halah

ARCHITECTURE OF THE STORM

Life has its colors and its phases, and it is up to us to withstand them. Every face has two different sides, and so does mine. If one side is still traumatized, filled with the sadness of memories planted by a brutal phase of pain, there is another side too-one that taught me to stand against the most tremendous of storms. Skimming through the petals of the black rose, I finally understand its secret: it does not hide its darkness; it embraces it. It takes the heavy, cold raindrops that try to weigh it down and turns them into a shimmering, reflective armor. I am no longer the poor, fragile droplet bluffed by the storm. I am the rose itself, proudly glimmering over the struggle.

This realization was hard-won, a truth found only after my entire world broke apart. Following my tenth grade, everything I knew shifted, and who could have guessed that my curled-up lips and previously blooming heart would contrast so sharply with the permanent grimace I now wore? I suddenly found myself walking through hospital aisles, searching for a glance of hope on a doctor’s face. Just like a frayed black rose, what fate had stored made me temporarily despise the world.

In school, getting sick had once meant a simple, amusing chance to rest in bed all day. That quickly transitioned into a desperate search for the pleasure of simply not being sick enough to return to my friends. The pain of fibromyalgia wasn’t a neat number on a scale; it was an invisible wall that turned me into something my peers feared. They kept their distance, afraid to sit near me-perhaps terrified of the unpredictable new shape my agony might take. It was incredibly brutal to cope with such a massive series of changes in a mere few months. Eventually, I had to bid a final wave to the bedroom space that partnered with despair, as the hospital room constantly awaited and craved my presence.

Even today, I occasionally find myself muttering, asking why I cannot live the life I used to. But beside the extensive ache and relentless phantom storms, my condition taught me to recognize who I truly am. Because my traditional studies were put to a sudden halt, I was given the gift of time-a window I initially mistook for a curse. I did not know then that I was being pulled out of the typical rat race to discover where my actual path lay. I used to wonder if lucky were those children who excelled outside of conventional academics; I truly wished to be one of them.

Who knew that I, too, would discover my interest in writing? I began sharing my words, finding an urgent solace in the rhythms I could create when my body refused to cooperate. What started as a quiet escape soon turned into a transformation, molding me into a true writer champ, fighting back with ink when my hands bulged with fire.

In May 2026, I took a leap of faith and submitted my poetry to the 25th edition of the National Poetry Contest organized by S7 Poetry, India. Out of more than 1,000 talented poets participating from across the country, I secured the 91st rank. Holding that certificate of appreciation, I realized that my voice wasn't just echoing in an empty hospital room anymore; it was being heard nationally. Soon after, my voice reached the global stage, conquering the world of letters to emerge as the World Youth Literary Poetry Competition 2026 Champ and achieving an international Rank 10 on the prestigious Writory August Leaderboard, scoring at the absolute highest levels of creative merit against writers from over forty nations.

The literary world began to answer back in hours, not months. When I bared my rawest truths to Nine Mile Magazine-a premier journal backed by the Poetry Foundation for chronic illness and disability narratives-the editors responded with a breathtaking 24-hour acceptance. My words did not wait in queues; they instantly broke through the walls of elite literature, securing an upcoming feature in their highly selective High School Poetry Issue, claiming their rightful space.

But the melody of my recovery didn't stop at words. The music club in school had always left me mesmerized. Seeing the grand piano, I felt an intense urge to embrace those monochromatic keys. Every evening, after the exhausting medical checkups were done, I sat before the instrument and realized that my life had become much like the piano itself. It was composed of both white and black keys, where the dark symbolized the shadows of my pain and the light a flag risen to my recovery. I understood then that a true melody is only possible when both are played with bravery; the white keys of hope cannot sing without the depth of the black keys of struggle.

In a mere span of two to three months, I mastered the rhythm of those keys despite my sickness. I was rewarded with two prestigious certificates from the Trinity College of London-earned during the exact months I was confined to the clinical sterility of the hospital grounds. I actually got to play on their grand piano, transforming my physical trauma into a melody that defied the monster within.

Today, life is still difficult at times, but overlooking the better side of it would be a profound injustice through my eyes. I have learned that my life is mine to claim, despite whichever path it may incline toward. Finding happiness in that acceptance is the sole key to living. I will survive my remaining time in the hospital patiently, and I will return stronger, happier, and completely ready to thrive.

This is the promise I sealed with him-the person who gave me perhaps my most beautiful name. He gave me a new life along with the teachings to thrive, and not just survive, despite the path my life chose for me. He taught me to oversee the bad and not get overwhelmed. He promised me my life and promised that he would make sure I survive, while wanting a promise in return from my side: that I would truly live my life again and thrive as my strength regains.

He wished for me to begin a brand new journey. He is my sole friend, a confidant I claim with pride, who believes in me no matter what I decide. I hold the utmost respect for him in my eyes. He is my doctor, my rheumatologist, who taught me that I am built not merely to endure, but to redefine my existence. He stands as a father figure for me in a doctor's disguise-and to be precise, I am proud to be his Brave Girl.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating the art of expression through words. This competition showcases diverse voices across poetry and prose, providing a stage for emerging and established writers to share their unique narratives. Participants are encouraged to explore themes deeply, capturing the essence of human experience in their creative works.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Halah for sharing "Architecture of The Storm" in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her compelling narrative of resilience and transformation resonates deeply, offering inspiration to all who encounter it. We wish her continued success in her creative journey and look forward to seeing her future contributions to the literary world.

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.