Crossing the Rubicon - By Avika Jha

Written By: Avika Jha

Category: Poetry

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Avika Jha presents "Crossing the Rubicon," a captivating poetic exploration featured in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar. This piece poignantly captures the essence of power, fear, and the human condition, intertwining historical and philosophical motifs. Through her adept use of language, Avika invites readers into a world where empires rise and fall, echoing a timeless dance of ambition and consequence.

About the Work

"Crossing the Rubicon" by Avika Jha is a rich tapestry of imagery and emotion. The poem delves into the complexities of leadership and the burdens it carries. Avika's evocative style highlights the transient nature of power, using vivid metaphors and a somber tone to reflect on the inevitable decay of empires. Through her work, Avika encourages contemplation on the roles of fear and ambition in shaping human history.

Crossing the Rubicon

Original Submission by Avika Jha

Crossing The Rubicon

Avika Jha

They raised me high on pillars white,

A gilded child beneath a torchlight.

The scholars spoke in tongues of gold,

Of empires young and empires old.

A mulberry bruise beneath the bone,

Proof no god ascends alone.

Your words moved deep like roots through stone,

Until my thoughts were not my own.

“A chosen son,” the council cried,

The tears of conduct I've seen a million times.

They placed me on a sacred throne,

Then cursed me for the height I’d grown.

For people love their kings divine

Until the drought destroys the vine.

Then every halo starts to rust,

And marble kingdoms turn to dust.

My soldiers marched through dying meadows,

Their faces drowned in cannon shadows.

Young men wrapped in iron pride

Still wept like children when they died.

The priests declared desire fatal,

The judges swore their courts were stable.

Yet every law was parchment-thin,

A brittle mask on rotting skin.

Philosophers in velvet halls

Still argued why a nation falls.

Is man corrupt, or born sincere?

No. Man is simply ruled by fear.

Fear of hunger. Fear of shame.

Fear no history speaks your name.

So we create our little wars

And call the corpses metaphors.

I crossed my Rubicon alone,

Not over water, but the throne.

The moment I became their god

Was when I ceased to simply nod.

Now statues crack and banners bend,

Republics rot from end to end.

And all that’s left of crown and court

Is ash the hungry rivers sort.

Yet somewhere underneath the flood,

Beneath the iron, oath, and blood,

There lives the boy they could not save,

Buried deep beneath the brave.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating diverse voices and artistic expression. This competition seeks to uncover unique perspectives through the written word, offering participants an opportunity to share their creative insights with a broader audience. It stands as a beacon for emerging and seasoned writers alike.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Avika Jha for her profound contribution with "Crossing the Rubicon" in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her work enriches the literary landscape, inviting reflection and dialogue. We look forward to witnessing more of her evocative artistry 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.