Baggage - By Angela Krueger

Written By: Angela Krueger

Category: poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Angela Krueger's poem, "Baggage," is a poignant entry in the poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This evocative piece delves into the theme of emotional burdens and the weight of personal experiences over time. As part of Hashtag Kalakar's esteemed competition, it invites readers to reflect on the emotional luggage we all carry and the impact it has on our lives.

About the Work

"Baggage" uses vivid imagery and a candid tone to explore themes of emotional weight and personal responsibility. Angela Krueger skillfully weaves the metaphor of a duffel bag to symbolize the accumulation of experiences and emotions over thirteen years. The poem's raw honesty and relatable sentiment offer a profound reflection on how we manage the unseen burdens we carry.

Baggage

Original Submission by Angela Krueger

Baggage

I kept putting things in

that duffel bag you got me

It's stuffed with mostly baggage

and some clothes

The zipper is stuck

The bag is full

It's too heavy now

I can't carry it alone

It doesn't have wheels

so it won't even roll

The seams are tearing

But I don't care

I've spent too much time putting things in there

I mean

You can fit a lot

into thirteen years

I've been standing here a while

You haven't been around

I guess this bag is

My responsibility now

with the insides exposed

the zipper all busted out

Everything just fell apart

Like my bag

You split

Meanwhile

I'm losing my shit

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating literary creativity and expression. This competition encourages writers from around the world to showcase their talents and share their unique voices through poetry and creative writing.

We extend our gratitude to Angela Krueger for sharing her thought-provoking poem "Baggage" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her work offers a compelling exploration of emotional burdens that resonates deeply with readers. Thank you, Angela, for your contribution and for enriching our literary community.

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.