CARTHASIS - By Al-hadiya King

Written By: Al-hadiya King

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Al-hadiya King, writing under the name Carthasis, presents a deeply personal and evocative poetry collection titled "CARTHASIS" for the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This compilation is a heartfelt exploration of emotions, scribbled in raw moments of reflection and introspection. The collection's candid and unfiltered nature resonates with readers, offering a glimpse into the poet's inner world.

About the Work

"CARTHASIS" is a vivid tapestry of emotions, where Al-hadiya King captures the tumultuous journey of the soul through stark and poignant imagery. The poems traverse themes of longing, despair, and self-discovery, marked by an absence of conventional structure. The work's hauntingly beautiful language and visceral rawness leave a lasting impact, inviting readers to embrace vulnerability as a path to healing.

Carthasis

Original Submission by Al-hadiya King

CARTHASIS:

A COLLECTION OF POETRY I SHOULD HAVE KEPT IN A DIARY.

AL-HADIYA KING

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The following pieces were written just as they appear. No clear path, rhythm, structure, or intention. They are emotions purged and spirals ruminated on bus rides home, at 2am and after conversations with my mother.

Dedicated to ME.

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ASPHYXIATION

You carved my heart hollow with a blunt spoon, leaving echoes that follow

Cavernous and bare with no memories to spare

My throat closes on demand a sickening yearn that you command

Burning shivers so sweet painful whimpers that rattle my teeth

Endlessly longing only to find such a brazen longing, was not even mine

22/11/2025

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DISCIPLINE

Strangulation – nail digging, gasping, slapping, gasping...air

Head Bashing – wall, floor, door, dragging, floor floor floor...scalp burning. Hair strands floating down

Rib Kicking – ungrateful, kick, bitch, kick, wish you were never born, kick, cough-wheeze-kick, die...kick kick kick

Knife Threatening – like a pin head with the tip so close to the cornea, blunt blades hurt more, dodge the one aimed for the head...learn to hide it

All was Discipline.

When my eyes crossed and I felt myself slip into unconsciousness

When my ears would ring and a burn travelled along the back of my head, left to right – right to left

When my ribs ached with every breath, every cough, every forced laugh

When my skin burned from the barely visible tear, the pressure of a blade on my neck

Seen Scars – Signs of DISCIPLINE (few are excusable);

Left elbow - length of long grain rice, width of a lentil.

* What’s metal against skin?

* It bled in colours of disbelief.

* I knew it should have been stitched when it opened again, after he pushed me to the floor for defending her. The best I could do was soapy water and a dolphin band aid.

Upper right arm – a sleek line of pale skin.

* Enough force of a plastic hanger equals perfect tear.

* It bled in tears of anger and hate.

* Today was different – Mo-Chridhe healed it. With steady fingers and gentle silence, humming love and reassurance.

Mental & Emotional Wreckage - THE LESSONS OF DISCIPLINE

1. How to unlearn

2. You are enough

3. How to heal

4. How to heal

5. Help to heal

6. How to heal

7. How to heal

8. Help help heal

9. Heal help heal

10. Please heal...

Discipline

Because I was DIFFICULT

26/11/2025

OBSESSION

Drunk, Drugged and Delirious

Running through my mind and whispering my desire, I kneel at your altar and set my sanity on fire.

Dazed, Deluded and Deadly

Haunting my thoughts dressed in shadows so sweet, I extinguish my light just for a taste of it.

I want to, I have to, I need to...

Breathe in poisonous promises. Taste acid sweet somethings. Drown in tempting lies. Burn with the yearn.

Skin and sin Sin and skin Skin against skin Sin sweet sin

You. Me and You You and Me

Why you? Why me? Why him?

10/12/2025

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TIME LOOP DESPAIR

Oh dreaded day

Oh longing night

What human scorn

And human plight

From my eye, a glistening crystal sets free

In the smooth teardrop crevice of it flows, tiny shards of lonely ecstasy

A sickening churn of curiosity

A bottomless depth of hollow anxiety

What is to come, what is to be?

What is this future, which I cannot see?

18/12/2025

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AM I FEELING OVERWHELMED?

I think I'm feeling overwhelmed Pressed down by expectation Drowned by complication Family, what a dreadful relation

afloat at sea on water that gleams drifting aimlessly no warning to heed

I think I'm feeling overwhelmed Haunted by ghosts of the past Scared of coming out last Healing, what a fearful task

yanked below cold, dark depth breathing slow lungs, now inept

I think I'm feeling overwhelmed Chased by passions too freeing Challenged by changes unbelieving Choices, how inexplicably deceiving

18/12/2025 (23:16)

RUSSIAN DOLL

In this mirror I cannot see A reflection that belongs to me Body bound by burning rage Eyes on fire, my soul a stage Trapped within torture within torment within atonement Smile alight, my sadness ignite

- / - /2025

ALTERCATIONS

No longer stuck in a loop,

Depression is now under my boot.

Rapid fire ruses of “doing better”,

Can’t believe I imagined anything lesser.

A lie? A dream? A projection?

Questioning reality and existence... Inflection?

Reflection, a travelled journey to destinations we deny.

The guilt builds, you can no longer look me in the eye.

Mirrors and smoke, confessions we never spoke.

Only to build on resentment, baby, we both choked.

- / - / 2026

THE ART OF WAR

My reality rotated in rushes of colour

Oil paints of anxious yearning and wistful anticipation

My hope bleeding onto the canvas

An image unspoken, unheard, unseen

Your reality stood still in a shadow of grey

Charcoal sketches of calm chaos and silent secrets

Your cold burning onto the canvas

The image cut, clear, clean

13/08/2026

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform that celebrates the power of the written word. It brings together diverse voices from around the world, fostering creativity and expression through poetry, short stories, and essays. This competition highlights the importance of storytelling as an art form, encouraging participants to share their unique perspectives.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Al-hadiya King for sharing "CARTHASIS" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This evocative collection offers a profound glimpse into the depths of human emotion and resilience. Thank you, Al-hadiya, for your courage 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.