I'm Fine - By Dhanya Venkatachalam

Written By: Dhanya Venkatachalam

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Dhanya Venkatachalam presents her evocative poem "I'm Fine" in the esteemed Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Through her participation in the poetry category, Dhanya delves into the intricate themes of self-deception and emotional vulnerability. The poem unveils the internal conflict of presenting a composed exterior while wrestling with inner turmoil, a universal experience many can resonate with.

About the Work

The poem "I'm Fine" by Dhanya Venkatachalam artfully captures the essence of maintaining a facade of well-being amidst internal chaos. With a tone that is both candid and introspective, Dhanya employs vivid imagery and a conversational style to highlight the disparity between outward appearances and internal realities. The pervasive sense of doubt and the haunting refrain of self-criticism underscore the poem's emotional depth.

I'm Fine

Original Submission by Dhanya Venkatachalam

I'm fine.

I lied.

I let the phrase slip out,

familiar on my tongue,

an autoreply motion in my brain-

'I'm fine,'

I say,

but am I?

Practice makes perfect,

and I do such a good job hiding it

so I must be perfectly ok.

My smile is effortless and believable,

my tone coated in false ease

and yet,

I feel far from it.

But it's all right.

My heart cracks further

but nothing that bandages and long sleeves can't save,

so I plaster a soft expression upon my face

as I face heartbreak after heartbreak.

And maybe my heart can take it,

and my face can mask it,

but my head cannot.

It betrays me in ways I wasn’t even sure was capable-

clouding my judgement,

twisting my stomach,

forming these terrible ideas,

and making me doubt every single thing I’ve done,

Not good enough.

And I can't get those 3 words out of my head-

Not. Good. Enough.

Those four syllables plague everything I do-

an irreversible change in the way I think.

And I wonder why I'm paranoid that loved ones will leave me

or certain that my closest friends hate me.

Because I must not be capable of making them stay-

making anyone stay.

But I'm fine.

I always am.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, is a prestigious platform celebrating diverse voices in poetry and creative writing. This event brings together talented writers from around the world, offering them the opportunity to share their unique perspectives and creative expressions with a global audience.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dhanya Venkatachalam for her introspective piece "I'm Fine" presented in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her contribution resonates deeply, reminding us of the shared human experience of confronting our inner struggles.

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.