Before I Loved You - By Ng Ka Ying

Written By: Ng Ka Ying

Category: poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Ng Ka Ying presents a beautiful exploration of love and self-discovery in her poem "Before I Loved You," featured in the poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar. The poem delves into the transformative journey of the heart, capturing the essence of change and emotion. Ng Ka Ying's work stands as a testament to the power of poetic expression, offering readers a glimpse into the nuanced world of relationships.

About the Work

"Before I Loved You" is a poignant reflection on the transformative power of love. Through vivid imagery and emotive language, Ng Ka Ying captures the essence of a heart's journey from chaos to calm. The poem's mood shifts from a sense of aimlessness to one of belonging, highlighting the profound impact of love on the human spirit. Ng Ka Ying's literary style is rich and evocative, drawing readers into a world of introspection and emotional depth.

Before I Loved You

Original Submission by Ng Ka Ying

Before I Loved You

Before I loved you, my sweet,

I was like a broken compass,

endlessly fiddling, and floating through senseless directions

Like a ghost,

my frail legs trembled but drifted onwards,

ending up in different spaces

like a foreign alien.

Before I loved you,

I was a wild card with a big, brave head of fires and stones,

trying to grab hold of the sun,

but high fevers ran me,

the little ray of light in my palm burned me,

trying to escape.

Before I loved you,

I was feral.

Like a home cat gone astray,

ignoring advice and orders,

abandoning senses and principles,

climbing on strange oak trees, running into bushes with thorns, forests of amusement and unknown, and great mountains of thrills.

I wavered through dim streets and black seas, flew through dark skies and paradise, and nested among places and objects:

nothing quite mattered, or had a face, nor a name:

the world was of still air.

I belonged to no one, nothing held me hostage,

yet, I belonged to all, everyone, everything,

I was prisoner to it all,

of time, of pleasing moments, of regret,

of summer, of winter,

of the sun, of moss, and of the mauve flowers.

My petals are of the exotics, most alluring colors, yet I was but painting the pavement in velvety blue:

till your giggles rang and drowned my brain,

invaded and corroded my ability to fear,

then your sweet lips caressed my palms, and your wise words taught and convinced me to lay under and enjoy the sun,

and then at last,

your rough hands filled the autumn plentiful with gifts.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is an esteemed platform celebrating the art of writing. It brings together voices from around the world, offering a stage for poets and writers to share their unique perspectives. The competition is renowned for its diverse entries and the opportunity it provides for participants to engage with a global audience.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ng Ka Ying for sharing her evocative poem "Before I Loved You" with us. Her participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 is a celebration of the power of words and the transformative nature of love. We look forward to witnessing more of her insightful creations 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.