Empty Playground - By Dayeon Kim

Written By: Dayeon Kim

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Dayeon Kim presents a poignant piece titled "Empty Playground." This work, submitted in the poetry category, captures the reader's imagination with its vivid imagery and emotional depth. Through Kim's evocative language, the poem explores themes of introspection and the haunting nature of an empty space.

About the Work

"Empty Playground" by Dayeon Kim paints a powerful picture of solitude through its careful use of language and vivid imagery. The poem's introspective nature invites the reader to reflect on the emotions tied to emptiness and isolation. With its smooth rhythm and evocative descriptions, the work captures the essence of a hauntingly vacant playground and the deep-seated feelings it evokes.

Empty Playground

Original Submission by Dayeon Kim

Empty Playground

Placing a foot

on the flat grass, bag

tossed to the

cushioned floor mats.

My spiraling mind

drops and glides

down the smooth metal slide

with me. Cold spreads

through my padded back.

Gales punch

whitened, shivering knuckles

clutched onto clumps of soil.

The slide trembles from fright.

Street lights sprout

through the dark don’t

spill through the fog

of my mind.

The fog slithers and curls

where I land,

seeps through fabric and tucks itself

inside of me.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, is a prestigious platform celebrating the written word. It invites writers worldwide to share their creative expressions in categories including poetry, short stories, and essays. This competition seeks to highlight diverse voices and unique perspectives in the realm of creative arts.

We extend our gratitude to Dayeon Kim for sharing "Empty Playground" with the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This evocative entry enriches the tapestry of voices in the competition, offering a profound glimpse into the poet's introspective world.

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.