Love Beyond Fairytale Romance - By Diva Rathod

Written By: Diva Rathod

Category: Poetry

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the evocative poem "Love Beyond Fairytale Romance," Diva Rathod delves into the complexities of love's true nature, presenting her work as part of Hashtag Kalakar's Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Embracing the category of poetry, Rathod challenges the quintessential depiction of love often portrayed in fairytales and romance novels. This poignant piece encourages readers to question the conventional narratives surrounding love and to find personal meaning beyond the idealized versions often celebrated in popular culture.

About the Work

"Love Beyond Fairytale Romance" explores the multifaceted nature of love, questioning its portrayal in media and literature. Rathod employs a reflective and contemplative style, weaving vivid imagery and introspective questions throughout her poem. The piece examines themes of trust, hope, comfort, and the darker emotions of jealousy and envy, inviting readers to reconsider their perceptions of love and to seek a deeper understanding of themselves before embarking on a quest for romantic fulfillment.

Love Beyond Fairytale Romance

Original Submission by Diva Rathod

Love Beyond Fairytale Romance-

Love is in the air, people say.

It is a feeling, or so they say.

A feeling so powerful it can change a person

My friends are definitely convinced about love.

One of my friends said, "Oh my God, have you seen his hair?"

As if God himself spent extra time making every strand of his hair perfect just for her.

Then he smiled at her.

She blushed.

He said he had never met anyone more beautiful than her.

Sweet, I suppose

It is reassuring to hear something like that.

It is nice to feel so certain about something.

But then a soft voice whispers from within. Are there really men like that in reality

Or is it all just a fallacy?

Are they just characters trapped inside Bollywood movies, romance novels, and stories adored by people who love happy endings?

Maybe such men do exist.

I do not know for sure, though.

I still have my doubts about love.

Is love really the feeling in the world even when everything else in your life is already furled?

I want to ask questions about this emotion that people love so much.

People talk about butterflies in their stomachs when they are in love.

They talk about flowers. Being together forever.

They compare their lover's face to the moon, saying it is so bright that the moon looks dim in comparison.

They say her innocence is like a soft petal that blooms slowly, fragile and untouched, just like the human heart.

If you touch it wrongly, it can break apart.

The pain of losing someone you love can make your life feel smaller and duller.

Your heart hurts. Your eyes try to pretend everything is fine.

Love songs are all about this feeling.

Poets write about how great love is

Movies celebrate love in a way, making us think that love is exactly what it seems to be.

I think that is not true.

Love is not about being attracted to someone or giving them flowers or thinking they are beautiful.

Love is about trust, hope, comfort, and fear.

When there is fear, jealousy is not far behind.

Jealousy is a strange feeling; it's like a newborn baby

To know if you are jealous, feed it with comparison, overthinking, and endless insecurity

And let it mature enough for you to realise it has fully grown.

If you let jealousy grow even more, it can start with one thought and turn into envy.

It can start with admiration. Turn into a desire for something you think you do not have.

Before you know it, jealousy has taken the place of peace in your heart.

While everyone is busy writing a love story, an old friendship is often forgotten.

The friend who was always there for you, who knew all your secrets, who could understand your silence better than your words. That friend is now lost in their world of love.

They are following promises, sweet words, and beautiful possibilities. They have forgotten the friendship they once thought was special.

They had sworn that the friendship would last forever.

It is funny how quickly things can change when love is involved.

Men may. Go, but friendships like those are hard to find again.

Maybe love is beautiful. Deserves all the songs and attention it gets.

I think love is a mix of many emotions all woven together, and it cannot be described so simply.

Before I start looking for someone to love, I want to understand myself.

I want to build my dreams and become someone I am proud to be.

Life is too long to be measured by whether someone loves you or not.

Do not spend your life chasing after someone. Do not spend it waiting for someone to chase you.

Be your destination.

Love is complicated.

It is beautiful, perhaps.

Yet not all receive the beautiful version of love we expect to, or wish to.

For some, it is their life

For others, their longest night.

So I ask again. What is love really?

Why is love so important to people?

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar provides a prestigious platform for writers and poets to showcase their creative talents. This competition celebrates diverse voices and original works, offering participants an opportunity to present their artistic expressions to a global audience. Through this event, Hashtag Kalakar continues to foster a vibrant community of writers and poets, encouraging them to share their unique perspectives and stories.

We extend our gratitude to Diva Rathod for her thought-provoking contribution, "Love Beyond Fairytale Romance," to the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her insightful exploration of love and its many dimensions adds a rich layer to our understanding of this complex emotion. We appreciate her participation and look forward to witnessing her continued journey in the literary 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.