I did love you once - By Nicole Rodrigues Bothma

Written By: Nicole Rodrigues Bothma

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Nicole Rodrigues Bothma's poignant poem "I did love you once" is a captivating entry in the Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her work delves deep into the complexities of love, exploring themes of passion, destruction, and renewal. This resonant piece invites readers to reflect on the intensity and impermanence of human emotions, capturing the essence of love in its raw and unfiltered state.

About the Work

"I did love you once" employs vivid imagery and emotive language to convey the tumultuous nature of love. Nicole Rodrigues Bothma masterfully uses metaphors of fire, storms, and collisions to illustrate the overwhelming force of passion and its capacity for chaos and transformation. Her poem is a powerful exploration of the beauty and devastation inherent in love, leaving readers with a sense of introspection and awe.

I did love you once

Original Submission by Nicole Rodrigues Bothma

Nicole Rodrigues Bothma

Entry 10

I did love you… once

I did love you once

Not in the way of movies or books

Not with quiet authority

Or unsaid words within our looks

I did love you once

Not like a bridge in a love song

Or how they say

It feels like being home all along

I loved you once

Like a raging fire

Destroying everything in its wake

As the flames blazed ever higher

I loved you once

Like a tumultuous storm

Torrents of rain pouring down

With no shelter to stay warm

I loved you once

Like a powerful hurricane

Leaving behind devastation

Then having to start over again

I loved you once

Like a car crashing into a wall

Quick, painful, deadly

No way of avoiding a collision at all

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating diverse voices and creative expression. Writers and poets from around the world showcase their talent and share their unique perspectives through poetry and prose. This competition serves as a testament to the power of the written word in fostering empathy and understanding across cultures.

Thank you, Nicole Rodrigues Bothma, for sharing your evocative poem "I did love you once" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your work adds a rich layer to the tapestry of human emotions, offering a profound exploration of love's complexities. We appreciate your contribution and look forward to seeing more of your remarkable talent.

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.