Echoes of Childhood - By Pratyasha Saha

Written By: Pratyasha Saha

Category: POETRY

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Pratyasha Saha presents a poignant piece titled "Echoes of Childhood" in the Poetry category for the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This annual event is a celebration of creativity and literary expression. Pratyasha's poem delves into the complexities of growing up amidst silence and unspoken words, capturing the essence of resilience and the undying spark of hope.

About the Work

"Echoes of Childhood" is a deeply evocative poem that explores the somber themes of silence and hidden pain. Pratyasha Saha crafts a narrative that weaves through shadows and whispers, embodying a sense of quiet strength and resilience. Her use of vivid imagery and delicate phrasing encapsulates the journey from darkness into light, ultimately offering a message of hope and transformation.

ECHOES OF CHILDHOOD

Original Submission by Pratyasha Saha

Echoes of Childhood

In a house where silence learned to scream,

I drifted through a fractured dream.

Toys lay waiting on the floor,

But laughter lived there nevermore.

The walls held echoes of each cry,

Of questions whispered-why, oh why?

Small footsteps tiptoed through the dread

Of broken words and things unsaid.

No lullabies to soften sleep,

No promises the heart could keep.

Only shadows, slow and thin,

Learning all the ways to settle in.

The dark would breathe against the air,

A quiet proof that pain was there.

The bruises hid where eyes can’t see,

In tender depths inside of me.

A child should blossom toward the sun,

Untaught to hide, untold to run.

But mine grew quietly instead,

Among the words that were never said.

Yet through the storms of passing years,

Through silent prayers and hidden tears,

A fragile spark refused to die

A stubborn flame that would not lie.

The shadows shaped the path I tread,

But never claimed the life ahead.

For every scar became a seam

That stitched together hope from dream.

And now my voice, once barely heard,

Has found its home in every word.

I am not what the darkness knew

I am the dawn that struggled through.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform for writers to showcase their literary talents. It serves as a beacon for creativity, encouraging participants from diverse backgrounds to share their unique voices and stories. This competition is a celebration of the art of writing, providing a stage for both emerging and established writers.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Pratyasha Saha for sharing her moving poem, "Echoes of Childhood," with us in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her work resonates with a profound message of hope and resilience, leaving a lasting impression on readers.

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.