Every Human Heart Came with an Emergency Exit - By Shreya Panwar

Written By: Shreya Panwar

Category: Poetry

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Shreya Panwar offers a profound exploration of the human experience in her poem, "Every Human Heart Came with an Emergency Exit." Submitted as part of the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this work delves into the intricacies of love and self-preservation. Panwar's verse thoughtfully examines the inherent defenses and hidden exits within human hearts, echoing the sentiment that vulnerability and protection coexist in modern relationships.

About the Work

In "Every Human Heart Came with an Emergency Exit," Shreya Panwar captures the delicate balance between love and self-defense. Her poignant observations reveal the hidden exits we all possess, crafted from past experiences and fears of future heartbreak. The poem's imagery and tone underscore the tension between longing for connection and the instinct to protect oneself, making it a reflective piece on the complexities of human emotions.

Every Human Heart Came with an Emergency Exit

Original Submission by Shreya Panwar

“Every Human Heart Came with an Emergency Exit”

Every building people trust

comes with emergency exits.

Bright signs.

Maps on the walls.

Instructions for surviving disaster before disaster even arrives.

I think human beings are built the same way.

Nobody enters love completely defenceless.

Even the softest people

keep hidden exits inside themselves.

A version of their life they could return to if everything collapsed.

A sentence they almost say before deciding against it.

A feeling they keep folded away untouched,

just in case they need something left to survive with later.

Because experience teaches people something cruel very early.

Anything capable of healing you

is also capable of breaking you.

So people learn balance.

How to love without looking too desperate.

How to care without sounding too attached.

How to say,

“It’s okay, I understand,”

while disappointment quietly fills the room behind their ribs.

We pretend detachment is maturity now.

People call it being chill.

Independent.

Unbothered.

But sometimes I think we are all just terrified of needing someone more than they need us.

So we rehearse abandonment long before it happens.

We tell ourselves,

“If they leave, I’ll be fine.”

We practice surviving people

while they are still kissing us goodbye.

Still sending good morning texts.

Still making plans for next month.

That is the tragedy of modern love.

People want permanence,

but they arrive prepared for disappearance.

Even in happy relationships,

there are moments where fear slips through.

A delayed reply.

A different tone.

A night that feels slightly colder than usual.

And suddenly the mind begins preparing emergency procedures.

Maybe they are losing interest.

Maybe you are too much.

Maybe this is the beginning of the end.

So people start protecting themselves quietly.

They love carefully.

Reveal themselves slowly.

Leave parts of their hearts emotionally unpacked,

like travelers refusing to settle completely in places they do not trust will keep them.

Some people become experts at pretending not to care.

“I’m fine either way.”

“Do whatever you want.”

“It’s not a big deal.”

Meanwhile,

their chest tightens all night.

Because caring deeply has become embarrassing somehow.

Neediness is mocked.

Attachment is treated like weakness.

People apologize for having emotions before they even express them.

So everyone acts less affected than they really are.

And loneliness grows in places where honesty should have lived.

I think the saddest part is that most people do want love.

Real love.

Steady love.

The kind that stays.

But survival instincts ruin things quietly.

Past heartbreaks whisper warnings into new relationships.

Old disappointments place their hands over fresh beginnings.

People flinch at tenderness now,

even while craving it desperately.

We have all become slightly rehearsed versions of ourselves.

Half loving.

Half bracing for impact.

Maybe that is why human connection feels so fragile.

We keep trying to build homes inside each other

while secretly memorizing the nearest way out.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a platform celebrating the art of written expression. It invites writers and poets to explore themes of personal and universal significance, fostering a community of creativity and reflection. This competition showcases diverse voices and perspectives, providing a stage for both emerging and established talents to share their work.

We extend our gratitude to Shreya Panwar for her insightful contribution, "Every Human Heart Came with an Emergency Exit," to the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her exploration of love and emotional resilience invites readers to reflect on their own experiences, offering a resonant and meaningful perspective on human connection.

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.