Bloodstain - By Rayan Alfaresi

Written By: rayan alfaresi

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the evocative poem "Bloodstain," Rayan Alfaresi delves into the complex interplay of reason and desire amidst conflict. As a participant in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Alfaresi's work is a poignant reflection on the themes of internal struggle and the aftermath of choices made in turbulent times. This competition showcases diverse voices from around the world, celebrating the power of poetry and creative writing.

About the Work

"Bloodstain" is a haunting exploration of the internal conflicts that arise in the face of war and personal loss. Alfaresi employs vivid imagery and a contemplative tone to convey the emotional turmoil of fighting against one's own beliefs. The poem questions the fairness of suffering and the irreversible consequences of certain choices, painting a stark picture of the cost of victory and the scars it leaves behind.

Bloodstain

Original Submission by rayan alfaresi

Bloodstain

It was never a choice,

Standing in this spiral,

But there was always noise

That wouldn’t let you stay in hiding.

A war ignited between reason and desire,

To cross the borders of all logic,

Making fools of even the wisest,

When all is fair, there’s no denying.

But was it fair, playing this game,

When all was painted red with pain?

It sank and stained beyond my reach.

That’s when I had to bend a part of me.

We were taught to win at all costs,

Not how to mourn what we had lost.

When you cross lines you can’t uncross,

I left pieces of myself in a foreign place,

Losing versions I could never replace.

I lied to faces I love,

Swearing to never raise a hand in rage.

But now a gun sleeps beside my head,

Giving it the name of “just in case.”

You heard the cheers of victory,

But all I heard were the screams of my enemy.

When I reached and found no breath,

That’s when I knew I’d tasted death.

I walked away with blood-stained hands,

But none of it was ever planned.

They called it peace with bitter grace,

Disguising battlefields with flags and lace,

But it was all bullets masking honor’s face.

And love?

Love became the sharpest knife.

I drove it into someone I could not save.

I vowed, in love’s cruelest name,

Something I used to believe

Now haunts me in my sleep.

So tell me now, is it all fair?

To cross beliefs you could never repair.

Do we have to suffer just to learn?

Do we have to bleed for what we earn?

I came back, or so it appeared,

’Cause half of me was gone.

“This shall never repeat,”

I told myself.

I was fighting for meaning,

But all I earned was a new kind of disgrace.

There are no medals worth this fight.

Nothing shines bright enough

To hide what’s dead inside.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, organized by Hashtag Kalakar, is a prestigious event that brings together writers and poets from around the globe. It provides a platform for creative expression, offering participants the opportunity to share their unique perspectives and literary talents with a wider audience.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Rayan Alfaresi for sharing the powerful poem "Bloodstain" with us. Your participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 is greatly appreciated, and your work deeply resonates with the universal themes of conflict and introspection.

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.