It's Cold Outside - By Jonathan Isaac Stephney

Written By: Jonathan Isaac Stephney

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the evocative poem "It's Cold Outside," Jonathan Isaac Stephney shares a profound exploration of comfort and discomfort, a theme that resonates deeply with readers. Featured in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this work invites us into a world where the warmth of a bath contrasts starkly with the coldness outside, evoking themes of introspection and resilience.

About the Work

Jonathan Isaac Stephney's "It's Cold Outside" offers a powerful metaphor for the struggle between comfort and the inevitability of facing the world outside. The poem's vivid imagery and contemplative mood create a poignant narrative of introspection. The recurring motif of warmth and coldness serves as a compelling vehicle for exploring internal conflicts and the human condition.

It's Cold Outside

Original Submission by Jonathan Isaac Stephney

It’s Cold Outside

You turn the tap for a bath,

The warmth penetrates your skin

Filling you with comfort,

You remove your clothing

And enter the bath…

The dirt from your skin

Begins to wash off,

(All the dirt from outside),

You feel lighter,

Here you can relax,

But you know eventually…

You have to go outside.

You step out the bath,

Constant regret of every motion

Approaching the door,

The door creaks,

The cold air rushes in.

Your body shivers.

You slam the door closed.

The bath invites you to step in.

The longer you stay in the bath…

The harder it is to go outside.

The water is damaging your skin.

The wrinkles form.

You get out once more,

Knowing it’s bad to stay.

The door opens.

The harsh cold batters your body.

“Sooner or later it will go away.”

You tell yourself this until eventually…

You get dirty again.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, is a renowned platform celebrating diverse voices in poetry and creative writing. It is a space where writers from around the world share their unique perspectives and creative expressions, contributing to a vibrant global literary community.

Thank you, Jonathan Isaac Stephney, for sharing your poignant poem "It's Cold Outside" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your work has brought a unique voice to the conversation, highlighting the intricate dance between comfort and the challenges of the external world.

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.