Gunung Raya - By Arthur Neong

Written By: Arthur Neong

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Arthur Neong, writing under the name Gunung Raya, presents a vivid poetic exploration titled "Gunung Raya" for the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This evocative piece, submitted in the Poetry category, encapsulates a journey through nature and introspection, beautifully marrying the physical and metaphysical realms. Neong's work invites readers to contemplate the interplay of fear, solitude, and the natural world.

About the Work

In "Gunung Raya," Arthur Neong crafts a narrative rich in sensory imagery and introspective reflection. The poem's mood oscillates between apprehension and contemplation as the narrator navigates a solitary journey up a mountain. Neong's use of vivid imagery and metaphor underscores themes of fear, isolation, and the transient nature of human existence against the backdrop of a grand, indifferent landscape.

Gunung Raya

Original Submission by Arthur Neong

Gunung Raya

The mountain had a name that was like a ghost.

A great grand ghost in a forest overlooking the road

on both sides. I drove through the rain,

through the threat of landslide. I was the only one.

Halfway up, a fallen log partly in my way

but I ignored it. A winding road that was only 20

minutes on Google, but felt much longer,

taking in every sensory detail around the bend,

up the corner. It has a name. It has no name.

Fear. Apprehension. When I reached the top,

it was just me, and the old resort looming abandoned.

And it was still raining. All around the mist threatened

like a ghost’s palm. The view of the island below obscured.

In my car, I was dry, and safe from the elements.

Though I did not feel safer. Fear and ghost knew

no metal nor glass. Perhaps only their own reflection.

I had made it up here, to surmount an obstacle

through sheer stubbornness, and now I must head down.

For here, up here, my life is but a twig or a leaf or a blade

of grass, a drop of rain, the shrill cry of a cicada, a monkey, a bird.

I am but a guest and I do not feel welcome. Water rushed

down the drain, down the road, as if urging me on.

When I stopped by the road, at the foot of the mountain,

the rain had turned little drops, drizzles. I would go up

perhaps another day, when conditions are more welcome.

* Gunung Raya – Malay meaning Mount Raya, raya meaning grand.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates the art of words, offering a platform for poets and writers to share their unique voices and perspectives. This prestigious event is a gathering place for creative minds, fostering a community of literary excellence and artistic expression.

We extend our gratitude to Arthur Neong for sharing "Gunung Raya" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. His poignant exploration of nature and self-reflection offers readers a powerful glimpse into the human psyche. Arthur's contribution enriches the tapestry of voices in this esteemed competition.

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.