Cage - By Sasha Mathebula

Written By: Sasha Mathebula

Category: Prose/ Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Sasha Mathebula, writing under the name "Cage," presents a compelling entry titled "Cage" in the Prose/Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This entry delves into the intricate themes of fear, expectation, and identity, exploring the ties that bind us to our past and familial legacies. As a participant, Sasha brings a unique voice, weaving a narrative that resonates with universal truths and personal introspections.

About the Work

"Cage" is a nuanced exploration of fear and freedom, portrayed through vivid imagery and introspective prose. The piece reflects on inherited expectations and the struggle for autonomy. Sasha's work is rich with metaphorical language, evoking a sense of entrapment juxtaposed with the desire for liberation. The narrative invites readers to ponder the cyclical nature of fear and the hope for transcendence beyond inherited constraints.

Cage

Original Submission by Sasha Mathebula

Cage

Set me from dreams I learnt to paint before I knew how to speak. Untie me from expectations I suckled from my mother's breast. Who I was and who I will be is nothing without what I have seen. Who I am is but a plan of what I have come to learn and what I have come to fear. Unchain me from the monsters I have come to learn to fear. The fear that coddled me as I slept on my mother's back - the fear of nothingness. This nightmare cages me and I wake up to live it. How do I become something when nothingness surrounds me? It works me night and day until my fingers bleed. It sounds greater than thunder and this fear shelters me from being one with this nothingness. Should I be saved from this grave sorrow buries my mind in, would I become a hypocrite? Would I be your oppressor that hopes for your heroism? Would I open the door if your imperfections knocked or would my pride hold up the pedestal?

We are cut from our mothers' flesh; you and I, made of everything they are made of. What they don't know; they shield us from and what they do know; our minds are too fragile to know.

Should I be set free from this philosophy, who sets my mother free from what she has learnt from her mother? Is death going to stop the life of fear? Will she be saved from the expectation of life by the expectation of death? What about her mother? She is made of the same flesh as her children, and whatever I am made of. Will death save her from the frailty of her flesh?

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, celebrates diverse voices and creative expressions from around the world. This esteemed competition invites participants to share their unique stories and perspectives, fostering a vibrant community of writers and poets. With a focus on creativity and originality, the competition serves as a platform for emerging talents to showcase their work on a global stage.

Thank you, Sasha Mathebula, for your powerful contribution titled "Cage" to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your exploration of fear and identity through evocative prose adds a profound depth to the competition. We appreciate your participation and the opportunity to share your insightful work with a wider audience.

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.