loved - By Angelique Gomes-Pretorius

Written By: Angelique Gomes-Pretorius

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Angelique Gomes-Pretorius, writing under the name "loved," presents a deeply introspective poem in the Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her piece, "loved," delves into the themes of healing and self-discovery, exploring the complexities of past relationships and personal growth. Angelique's work offers a profound look into the emotional journey toward finding peace and love within oneself.

About the Work

In "loved," Angelique Gomes-Pretorius crafts a vivid narrative that examines the inner turmoil and eventual liberation from a past relationship. The poem's tone is both reflective and resolute, using rich imagery to convey the protagonist's struggle and triumph over emotional scars. The work's evocative language captures the essence of overcoming fear and embracing a future filled with hope and freedom.

loved

Original Submission by Angelique Gomes-Pretorius

loved

Could I even explain what it is that bounces

Back and forth between the walls of my

Mind without making it sound like I’m bound

To an incomprehensibly boundless idea?

What if the raging persistence of the

Dreadful feeling that

The mistake I had in you

Would repeat itself once again

Is there

Once again

As a reminder to scare me away from ever trying again.

I refuse.

It’s meant to keep me from the truth.

The truth that you are a mistake I could never repeat.

I learnt too much through you

Yet my mind disregards the battles I won

Against the presence of you in my life

It disregards how hard I fought for

The freedom of being untethered to the

idea

I had

Of you.

You have been so far removed from my life - body, heart, and soul.

But the component that seems to reflect

On the distasteful richness of your shadows is

My mind.

My instrument

Of greatest successes

And worst failures.

It reflects not so as to return to you

But as a warning against the life you brought me.

Respectfully,

You are insignificant in this idea

The aggregate of the concept is not who

You were but who I was what I was

When you were there

A fear buried deep inside the fibres that

Make up everything I want to become

That I would have to experience

The suffocation of that life ever again

In any universe.

The suffocation of

Constant uncertainty, of

A persisting knot in my stomach,

An aching for the absence of what you could never make me.

Loved.

It was something not that you are unable to do

But that you were incapable of doing for me

And every small remaining piece I find of

The wreckage you caused

In places they do not belong

In new experiences

In new people

The shards gently, quietly, unnoticeably

Slice my fingertips just enough to sting

Leaving me cautious to touch anything at all in

Fear of the pain that runs up my arms because of the wounds.

The idea

Is not

Boundless.

It’s limit is the healing

Brought by the smallest sweet flowers

That softly graze my fingers upon walking

In the fields and gardens they have so graciously created for me.

A safe place where

The life you brought is banished

And

A life beyond awaits

Where

I am free

And

Loved.

Angelique GP

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is an esteemed event that brings together creative writers from around the globe. It celebrates the power of words and the art of storytelling, offering a platform for poets and writers to share their unique voices and perspectives.

Thank you, Angelique Gomes-Pretorius, for sharing your evocative poem "loved" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your exploration of healing and self-discovery resonates deeply, and we appreciate your contribution to the world of poetry.

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.