JOURNEY WITHIN - By Amreeta Roop Kaur Despande

Written By: Amreeta Roop Kaur Despande

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the poignant world of poetry, Amreeta Roop Kaur Despande emerges with her evocative piece, "JOURNEY WITHIN." Submitted under her pen name Tia Shankly, this poem is part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. The work delves into themes of introspection and self-discovery, inviting readers on a journey through the depths of the human soul and the quest for inner peace.

About the Work

"JOURNEY WITHIN" is a reflective exploration of the emotional landscape, capturing the essence of feeling overwhelmed and the subsequent search for clarity. Through vivid imagery and a contemplative tone, the poem weaves a narrative of finding solace and understanding amidst chaos. The fluidity of emotions is mirrored in the poem's rhythm, guiding the reader towards a sense of calm and acceptance.

JOURNEY WITHIN by Tia Shankly

Original Submission by Amreeta Roop Kaur Despande

JOURNEY WITHIN

Have you ever felt too much, too fast,

Until every feeling faded at last?

When joy and sorrow blur as one,

And even your own heart comes undone.

You wake each day with an empty chest,

A weary soul that longs for rest.

Then life sends people, one by one,

Their stories woven with your own.

They fill your silence, stir your skies,

With borrowed dreams and borrowed sighs.

You feel again, but something's wrong;

The notes are there, yet not the song.

Confusion settles, thick as rain,

A quiet, nameless kind of pain.

And all you crave, with every breath,

Is distance from the noise you've kept.

Not out of fear, nor out of spite,

But just to find your inner light.

To empty every crowded room

Your mind has built to house the gloom.

To sit beneath a boundless sky,

Where stars ask nothing, never why.

To drink the peace the heavens pour,

Until your restless heart craves for more.

For in that silence, soft and deep,

The truths you buried slowly speak.

Your scattered thoughts come home again,

Like rivers finding seas they've known.

The weight grows light, the storm grows still;

The heart remembers how to heal.

And little by little, breath by breath,

You learn there's life beyond the mess.

So if one day I slip away,

Don't fear that I have lost my way.

Don't search the roads where shadows creep;

I'm simply wandering inward, far and deep.

I'm not running from who I've been;

I'm simply searching for the soul within.

Because sometimes the longest journey we'll ever take

Is the one that leads us back to ourselves again.

©tiashankly

Note: Written and submitted by Amreeta Roop Kaur Despande under the pen name tiashankly.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a celebration of literary artistry, inviting participants from around the globe to share their unique voices. This prestigious platform is dedicated to highlighting diverse narratives and fostering a community of creative expression.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Amreeta Roop Kaur Despande for sharing "JOURNEY WITHIN" with the world. Her contribution to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 offers readers a profound reflection on the journey of self-discovery. Thank you, Amreeta, for taking us on this introspective voyage.

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.