MEMENTOS - By PRINCE LEHLOGONOLO TLEANE

Written By: PRINCE LEHLOGONOLO TLEANE

Category: POETRY

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the evocative poem "Mementos," Prince Lehlogonolo Tleane presents a powerful exploration of resilience and identity. As part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this piece speaks to the enduring strength found within scars and memories. Tleane's work delves into the themes of healing and transformation, resonating with the universal journey of overcoming adversity.

About the Work

"Mementos" is a poignant reflection on the endurance of the human spirit. Through vivid imagery and a contemplative tone, Tleane captures the essence of personal growth amidst adversity. The poem highlights the beauty and strength found in scars, portraying them not as signs of weakness but as testimonies of survival and transformation.

MEMENTOS

Original Submission by PRINCE LEHLOGONOLO TLEANE

MEMENTOS

I do not wish my wounds to disappear. Let them heal-

but never fade.

For they are my memory,

the quiet witnesses

to the storms I survived

in a body the world mistook for softness.

They remind me

that even a gentle soul

can walk through fire

and remain whole.

I have known the weight of an angry mind- the ache of being both wounded

and awake.

Like a seed cast into thorns,

into a place that pierces

and consumes,

I endured.

I did not wither.

I grew.

From pain, I rose-

not as the thorn they named me,

but as something they could not predict:

a bearer of life,

a cultivator of beauty,

a force turning suffering into bloom.

In a world that felt like Rome-

cold, judging, unyielding-

I walked as a stranger,

yet refused to forget my origin.

They said I would become the thorn, dim the light,

bring destruction.

But they spoke from fear,

not truth.

Yet even in that empire of shadows, I carried a quiet revolution-

not of swords,

but of spirit.

I fought wars no one could see, and bled victories no one could measure.

And in that unseen struggle,

I became more than what they called me.

I became proof

that transformation is not loud- it is inevitable.

So let my wounds remain.

Let them speak.

For they are not marks of weakness, but records of becoming.

Each scar-

a memory.

Each bruise-

a testimony.

And this life-

my living archive.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform showcasing diverse literary talents worldwide. It celebrates creativity and expression, inviting participants to share their unique voices and stories through poetry and prose, fostering a global community of writers and poets.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Prince Lehlogonolo Tleane for sharing "Mementos" in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This profound piece enriches our understanding of resilience and transformation, and we are grateful for Tleane's contribution to 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.