Deliver Me - By Reatile Phalole

Written By: Reatile Phalole

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the realm of poetic expression, Reatile Phalole presents "Deliver Me," a profound piece featured in the Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This work delves into themes of personal liberation and inner reflection. As a part of this prestigious competition, Phalole's piece invites readers to explore the depths of emotion and faith through the lens of poetic artistry.

About the Work

"Deliver Me" explores the complex intersection of faith and personal liberation. With evocative imagery and a contemplative tone, Phalole crafts a narrative of introspection and emotional upheaval. The poem's mood shifts from despair to hope, reflecting a journey toward spiritual deliverance. The use of vivid imagery and metaphor enriches the narrative, offering a poignant meditation on freedom and redemption.

Deliver Me

Original Submission by Reatile Phalole

Deliver Me

By Reatile Phalole

I gaze at my mirror intensely.

A stranger stares back at me.

Her eyes are sad and dull,

Her mind lost as she mulls.

Her lips are dry and cracked,

As if she endured a brutal attack.

My mother walks into my room,

Holding a chain to seal my doom.

Her hands touch my back gently,

While my gaze is fixed on the rosary.

She places it around my bare neck,

Where your initial used to rest.

I flinch as the beads touch my skin,

And screams echo from within.

She covers my luscious hair

To repel your intense stare.

She replaces our marriage veil

With a veil of the Holy Grail.

Though my eyes were swollen red,

I prepared to have us unwed.

Once I arrive at the chapel,

The one I promised we’d marry in,

Tears well in my eyes.

My heart dreads going inside.

When walking down the aisle, I cry,

And that action takes the priest by surprise.

I kneel before the altar.

The priest reads from the psalter.

I apologise to God for my blasphemy,

For worshipping another so actively.

I grasp the rosary in my hand

While I face a heavy reprimand.

You are no longer my altar;

You’ve become my assaulter.

So I return to God to worship.

She ends the terms of your courtship.

I ask God to forgive me,

To change what my fate will be.

I ask her to deliver me

From the trenches of your sea.

I ask her to help me see

When something isn’t meant to be.

I ask her to pull me from the dark

Whenever things get hard.

I ask for deliverance and repentance,

For only she is in charge of my death.

Oh Lord, deliver me.

Only you can deliver me.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates diverse voices in literature. This event draws participants from around the world, offering a platform for writers to share their creative expressions. The competition highlights the power of words to inspire and connect, fostering a global community of literary enthusiasts.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Reatile Phalole for sharing "Deliver Me" with us as part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your contribution adds depth and richness to the conversation on personal and spiritual liberation. We appreciate your participation and look forward to your future endeavors in poetry.

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.