Different Definitions - By Swasti Devarshi

Written By: Swasti Devarshi

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Swasti Devarshi presents "Different Definitions," a profound piece in the Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This competition serves as a platform for voices around the world to share their unique perspectives and creative expressions. In "Different Definitions," Devarshi delves into the theme of perception and identity, exploring how individual backgrounds shape our understanding of the world.

About the Work

"Different Definitions" invites readers to reflect on the diverse lenses through which we interpret life. With evocative imagery and thoughtful contrasts, Swasti Devarshi explores how culture, language, and personal history influence our perceptions. The poem challenges us to consider the multiplicity of truths and the importance of empathy and communication in a globalized world, urging a move towards understanding and humanization.

Different Definitions

Original Submission by Swasti Devarshi

Different Definitions

In our web of varied perceptions

For one world, as humans we have

different definitions.

The same rain — for some a wait, for some a flood.

The same silence — for some restraint, for some prison.

Information seeps into our minds

through the filters of where we were born,

through the language we first learned,

through the borders we crossed.

A gesture of respect in my village,

in another city, may offend.

The home I call my identity,

I call my memory,

for others, maybe just a visiting card.

And we wonder often then

why the communications failed!

Our judgements come

from the interpretations we were given,

May not exactly match what was said.

The speaker means one thing.

The listener may hear another.

The migrant speaks with an accent when

The native may sense a threat.

What’s drawn is an image.

What’s heard is a sound.

What’s perceived is a reflection of

where we stand.

Desert eyes see different deities

than those of the ocean.

Homeland eyes infer differently

than those of exile.

So when a word cuts,

when "go back" becomes headlines in newspapers,

we must pause and ask:

Whose lens am I seeing through?

In this era of AI-zation,

we need more humanization.

To sit and say: "This is how I saw it back home."

And hear: "This is how we see it here."

Different, yet Both Real.

Because truth isn’t one frame.

It’s the space where all truths meet,

without borders, without fences,

without asking anyone to erase their maps.

Or else we will keep mistaking

our brother from another mother

for a stranger,

for the enemy.

—-----------------------------------------------------------

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar showcases a diverse range of literary talents from around the globe. This prestigious event encourages participants to express their creativity and share their unique voices. It provides a platform for writers and poets to engage with a worldwide audience, fostering a deeper appreciation for the myriad forms of expression in the literary arts.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Swasti Devarshi for her compelling contribution, "Different Definitions," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her insightful exploration of perception and identity enriches our understanding of the complex world we live in. We look forward to witnessing more of her thought-provoking work 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.