Care Ledger - By Umasankar Mukkamala

Written By: Umasankar Mukkamala

Category: Poetry / Free Verse

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Umasankar Mukkamala, writing under the name Care Ledger, presents a thought-provoking piece titled "Care Ledger." As a contribution to the poetry category, this free verse work delves into the intimate and often unseen world of care labor, framed against the backdrop of economic precarity and global distress. Mukkamala's poignant reflection on intergenerational love resonates with the broader themes of the competition, inviting readers to contemplate the balance of care and the silent sacrifices made in the margins of our world.

About the Work

"Care Ledger" by Umasankar Mukkamala is a rich tapestry of emotions interwoven with contemporary global issues. The poem evokes a sense of urgency and responsibility, capturing the rhythm of daily life in the realm of care work. Through vivid imagery and metaphor, Mukkamala portrays the persistent hum of tasks that sustain life amidst chaos, underscoring the transformative power of love and resilience. The piece reflects on the tireless efforts that often go unnoticed, highlighting the emotional and physical toll borne by caregivers worldwide.

Care Ledger

Original Submission by Umasankar Mukkamala

Care Ledger

Category: Poetry / Free Verse

Theme: Care labor, economic precarity, intergenerational love, global distress in the margins

Language: English

I count the hours in warm water:

dishes, diapers, the elder’s pills,

the meeting that starts late again.

In the kitchen, steam writes its own list—

everything boiling, everything waiting.

I count breaths, pots and pans,

the silence that lives between pills.

On the roof, the news keeps shouting:

landslides in Nepal, reservoirs over top,

Kerala’s roads turned back into rivers.

My hands keep translating

hunger into rice, fear into song,

while a friend in another city

watches flood cameras on a second screen,

coding models that predict what he cannot stop.

In the margin, a headline burns—

evacuation orders, delayed flights,

“when will you come home?”

Love never closes the balance;

it spends what it doesn’t have,

again and again.

And still, the house breathes.

And still, we begin.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating the art of written expression. It invites poets and writers from across the globe to share their unique voices and perspectives, fostering a rich tapestry of cultural and thematic diversity. The competition is dedicated to uncovering new talent and honoring those who push the boundaries of creative writing, offering participants a chance to showcase their work on an international stage.

We extend our gratitude to Umasankar Mukkamala for sharing "Care Ledger" with the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your exploration of care labor and its broader societal implications adds a valuable voice to the conversation. Thank you for your contribution to this international celebration of poetry and creativity.

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.