Dissolution - By Ilaria Kaharudin

Written By: Ilaria Kaharudin

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

We are pleased to feature "Dissolution" by Ilaria Kaharudin, writing under the name disoulution, in the Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This evocative piece weaves a tapestry of vivid imagery and profound themes, inviting readers to traverse the enigmatic realms of existence and nature. Join us in exploring this compelling work that resonates deeply with the essence of poetic art.

About the Work

"Dissolution" is a masterful exploration of themes such as mortality, the natural world, and the passage of time. With its rich imagery and haunting tone, the poem paints a vivid picture of the interconnectedness between life and death. Ilaria Kaharudin’s adept use of metaphor and vivid language creates a powerful and immersive experience, inviting readers to reflect on the cyclical nature of existence and the eternal dance between life and the cosmos.

disoulution

Original Submission by Ilaria Kaharudin

dissoulution

Death drowns in gaping pools of midnight,

In the culminating seconds of expired time,

The ensouled corpses of the living fight,

The primordial enforcer and ancient guide.

In the culminating seconds of expired time,

The king of the swamp and sea resides,

The primordial enforcer and ancient guide,

A coffin of driftwood fused to his spine.

The king of the swamp and sea resides,

In the muddy mangroves of mortality,

A coffin of driftwood fused to his spine,

The crocodile floats––the reaper of reality.

For when does a crocodile refuse corpses? buaya mana tahu menloak bangkei?

I run in rivers

That lap the endless visage of time,

I am the deathless dream that drifts

Caught in currents of voidless corpses

And the resounding crack of hollowed bones

That scream of empty caskets.

The Deity of Midcurrents, Mambang Tali harus

I am but the ghost of

Death, retribution, and chaos kematian, pembalasan, dan huru-hara

I speak to you with sight of burnished gold,

I cast judgement in the ivory scales

pressed into my flesh

The blood of saffron

courses in my veins,

The heart of stars from the East

Beat in my skull,

I see in gilded sockets

Slitted into two––

Night eyes mata hilam

Glamoured with the blood

Of West stars,

The soul spells spirits

In archaic runes

Etched in the ashes of lost time.

In the exhale of liminal breath

And the rush of corporeality,

I am the guardian penunggu

balancing between two realms.

My scales are steeped in the stolen skin of moonlight,

My eyes amber ore bintang

I am the King of the Sea Raja di Laut

beholden to none but the cosmic

“It was not I who killed you “Bukan Aku membunoh angkau

It was water which killed you”. Ayer yang membunoh angkau”

The bayou of eternity

Drifts closer

The weight of water––

An iron crown too heavy to bear,

But this is not slaughter

Just drowning dissolution,

The way of the cosmos

For nature demands balance

Equilibrium

Cast in the glimmer of white blood kilauan darah putih

Stemming both ebb and flood tides berpuncanya air pasang dan surut

And in the mahogany cage of absolution surut dan banjir

Seared into my skin as a shell of servitude.

“I ask only for the guilty” “saya hanya meminta untuk yang bersalah”

Relinquish their souls

For “if you do not do so, you shall die” “jika kamu tidak berbuat demikian, Caught in kamu akan mati”

The socket of my jaw charik kapan

That tears the selvedge of the shroud.

I am dank driftwood

And sunken scales strung together,

With the soul purpose

To entomb the veiled orbits

Of your sight

“Do not run away” “jangan angkau lari”

The blood of your bones bow

To the tide of my reckoning,

You bleed in the slitted salt of its sacrament

Our agreement. pĕrjanjian kita

After the debts of breath and blood have been collected

Your soul does not dissolve into aether,

Instead it lingers

Along the vertical confines,

Below the surface of the ancestral stream

In the sea-grass. rumput sětul

I am the keeper of the tides

And the empire of time,

Cloying sweetness bleeds

In the sack of my rubbery carrion,

I exist

As the singular, solitary

Entity

That reigns over

The marshes of transience,

In fluctuating permanence

I am both

A crystal shadow

And a dark distorted reflection

Cast upon the surface of the swamp of souls.

I swim in cyclical circles,

Whirlpools of ephemeral existence

Neither the prey nor the predator,

But a bridge

Made into breath

Or something as close as death kematian

Can be to life,

Let your soul come hither to mine. benarlah jiwa anda datang kepadaku

In the culminating seconds of expired time,

The primordial enforcer and ancient guide,

The king of the swamp and sea resides,

A coffin of driftwood forever fused to his spine.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious event celebrating the art of writing in its various forms. This competition offers writers a platform to showcase their creativity and talent on a global stage, fostering a community of literary excellence and artistic expression. Participants from around the world contribute their unique voices, enriching the tapestry of contemporary literature.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ilaria Kaharudin for sharing "Dissolution" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your contribution enriches the world of poetry, inviting readers to ponder the profound themes woven into your work. We appreciate your participation and look forward to witnessing your continued journey in the literary arts.

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.