Inheritance of Small Things - By Kivash

Written By: Kivash

Category: Poem

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Presenting "Inheritance of Small Things," a poignant poem by Kivash, submitted to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. In this deeply reflective piece, Kivash artfully captures the essence of finding beauty and significance in the ordinary, exploring themes of family, resilience, and the quiet strength found in everyday life.

About the Work

Kivash's "Inheritance of Small Things" is a touching exploration of familial love and the subtle, often unnoticed aspects of life that carry profound meaning. Through vivid imagery and introspective tone, the poem delves into themes of survival and the quiet endurance that defines human experience. It invites readers to find solace in the mundane, reminding us that true happiness may lie in the simple permission to exist without pretense.

Inheritance of Small Things

Original Submission by Kivash

Inheritance of Small Things.

My father folds silence like clean laundry, sharp corners, warm from the line. He carries whole storms in grocery bags, sets them softly beside the bread

so no one notices the weight.

My mother measures love in ordinary ways, the last piece of chicken left untouched, the light beneath my door at 2 a.m, or a text that says Drive safe

when what it means is

Please survive this world.

We come from people

who apologize to empty rooms,

who save plastic containers

as if preparedness were a religion. People who hear bad news and first ask, “Did you eat?”

And maybe,

just maybe, that is why

I keep every cracked version of myself. The lonely one.

The angry one.

The one who almost disappeared in winter, but still answered emails on time.

I have spent endless years mistaking survival for living.

There are mornings where

I stand in the kitchen holding coffee like a ceremony,

watching the sun spill itself

across the counter,

and feel guilty

for how beautiful life can be

when nothing extraordinary is happening to me. No fireworks.

No miracle.

Just the refrigerator humming,

a dog barking three houses away,

someone sweeping yesterday from their porch, paving way for the blessings of today.

But maybe happiness was never the mountain. Maybe it was this;

the quiet permission to rest

without earning it first.

I think of all the people

pretending to be unbreakable,

answering “I’m fine”

with shaking hands,

wearing exhaustion like a second skin because the world rewards endurance more than honesty.

So here is mine:

I am tired of performing strength.

Tired of calling burnout ambition.

Tired of shrinking my grief

into something easy to swallow,

a main reason why my Adam’s apple is concerning.

I want a life

where I can say

“This hurt me”

without apologizing for the bruise,

and the bleeding that came after.

And if that sounds fragile,

so be it.

Even glass catches light.

Even now,

the world continues its small kindnesses: strangers holding doors,

rain cooling the pavement after heat,

someone somewhere laughing so hard

they forget to be afraid,

and tears escape from their eyes.

I do not know

if healing arrives all at once, or if it arrives at all,

but

I think it comes quietly,

like a kettle beginning to sing in another room.

You almost miss it

until suddenly

warmth is everywhere.

And right then and there, you realise,

all the hurt,

may have been worth it.

Surviving.Poetry.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating diverse voices in poetry and creative writing. Participants from around the world contribute their unique perspectives, enriching the literary tapestry with their creativity and insight. This competition fosters a global community of writers, encouraging artistic expression and cultural exchange.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Kivash for sharing "Inheritance of Small Things" with us. Your contribution to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 enriches our understanding of the delicate beauty in everyday life. We appreciate your participation and look forward to seeing more of your inspiring work in the future.

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.