Mirrors - By Johannes Nangombe

Written By: Johannes Nangombe

Category: Conscious poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Immerse yourself in the profound reflections of Johannes Nangombe's "Mirrors," a compelling entry in the Conscious Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This evocative piece invites readers to delve into the intricate layers of self-perception and existence. Johannes skillfully uses poetic imagery to explore the dichotomy between the self we see and the self we project, in a world that constantly shifts between the tangible and the abstract.

About the Work

"Mirrors" by Johannes Nangombe is a contemplative exploration of identity and self-awareness. Through vivid imagery and introspective musings, the poem invites readers to question the layers of perception and reality. The work captures a duality where the internal self confronts external reflections, prompting a deeper understanding of one's consciousness. Johannes crafts a narrative that is both personal and universal, resonating with anyone seeking to understand the complexities of their own existence.

Mirrors

Original Submission by Johannes Nangombe

Mirrors:

In everyday life we experience ourselves in the first person perspective...

the world through our eyes...

But a mirror suddenly shows us the third-person version of ourselves...

For a second...

It’s like seeing the character you’re playing in life... Mirrors:

I've become so conscious...

it feels like I've travelled back in time...

Got into my body...

Left the door behind...

Then started walking...

Like I'm living...

Moving forward...

But my mind's constantly moving backwards... Like my humanity is a rewind...

I've become so conscious it hurts...

Like a soul trapped in a body...

Funny part is...

It is all real...

Mirrors:

What is my aura, you say...

I am...

Friends with those younger than me... Respected by those older than me...

And slightly interesting to those...

That live beyond their minds every day...

I've heard some say...

That... I'm weird...

But...

Fascination comes from fear of the unfamiliar...

So they cower, afraid to be seen...

Beyond the skin...

While I am here...

Raw...

Totally real...

A being that only lives from within...

A naked self projected onto the world... The skin glistens...

A hand made of green grass... Grips my dead skin...

The revival...

On the top of my head...

I felt a sting...

I had begun to awaken...

The skin glistens...

Listen... to the water as it flows... Let it guide your toes...

Let the skin glisten...

Pilgrims in my soul...

Nothing flinches...

Pure stillness...

And so my skin glistens...

Reflections:

You are not in the world...

The world is in you...

Close your eyes...

And all you shall see is darkness... Open them...

And you shall begin to see your thoughts...

You stand in front of a mirror...

Admiring your skin...

Ironically so...

You don't even see you...

If even looking doesn't show you yourself... Then what does...

The voice beyond the bones...

Beyond the tones...

Beyond the projections... And the clothes...

You are the soul...

Or are you now...?

What even is the soul...

I tilt my hand...

Observing it...

As I move it closer to my head...

I take a closer look...

It contains what they call flesh... I look into still water...

And see my face...

I close my eyes...

And see my thoughts...

So tell me...

If I am the soul...

Then where am I...?

Mirrors:

The voice in your head is not you... It is something you are watching...

Dogs barking...

They sense you coming...

They shiver and run...

The moment you touch eyes...

Afraid of this being...

Vibrating on this specific plane of existence... But what exactly do they fear...

They seem to see you...

But what exactly do they see...

Who are you, then...?

Hmmm...

Notice yourself noticing...

That second layer has always been there...

You stare...

Exploring the page...

You did not choose to read this line...

You became aware of choosing...

after it was already happening...

Mirrors:

Stable things...

Are casual dreams...

Even rocks flinch...

The world is built from vibrating things... Stagnation is a myth...

While transcendence is merely the result of letting

go...

And vibrating with the flow... of life...

But even so...

Just who exactly is vibrating...?

You walk into a room...

Anxious...

Maybe confident...

You observe as they look at you...

You then wonder if they truly see...

The person you are...

Beyond the skin...

But truth is...

No one has ever experienced you...

They have only experienced their perception of you... Then who are you, then...?

Huh...?

Like...

Who are you...?

Mirrors:

You are but a consciousness that has matured... Once, you were a joyful little human...

But now you move...

In a body...

Guided by a system...

Built on their fears...

Shallow be the heads of those without independent thought...

Stuck in trends...

Trauma-infused...

You are haunted by moments dead...

To a point where you feel the raw weight of regret... It pulls you back...

And forces you to beg...

For a mere second of silence...

But it refuses...

Instead, it latches onto your neck...

It enters your head...

And begins to feed on your thoughts...

Trauma-infused...

You become stuck in your head...

While the moment continues to pass...

Next thing you know...

You are a 50-year-old...

Still carrying the weight of when you got raped... Then you're dead...!

But were you truly ever there...? Did you truly ever live...?

Did you ever leave your head...? Are you even dead...?

Trauma is just debt...

Of what you could've been...

It keeps on multiplying...

Until you can't afford it...

Then comes death...

What are you so afraid of...?

Huh...?

Vulnerability...

Stagnation...

Or the sacrifice that comes with growth... You have to sacrifice the victim...

I say, make a trade-off...

Huh...?

Stand tall...

It's a stand-off...

Against conformity...

Slingshot...

Aim a rock at the head of actuality...

Slay it with your fantasies...

Create a delusion on the face of the earth... In this world covered in liquid and mud... What even is factuality...?

A mirror reflects actuality...

A medium that reveals...

Moving objects in this three-dimensional reality... All of existence is happening in this one breath...

The past is in your head...

There is nothing beyond this...

You are living on the edge of time...

Soon you will look back...

And see that you've been asleep this whole time... Reflections:

Mirrors don't teleport...

Mirrors are one-dimensional...

As in...

Without them...

Life would be passive...

Movement without awareness...

Just constant motion...

Living in the first person...

Forever...

A straight line... to your end...

Death would feel gravitational...

Dying not knowing what you looked like... How existential...

Only the person in front of you will have seen your face...

But even they haven't seen theirs...

A mirror will show you what's actually there... It reflects the moment...

Grounded and clear...

It's practically rare...

To see the real world...

With no movement...

Just light and sound...

Where everything is unfavorably fair...

It's all clearly there...

But so are you...

Look closer...

What do you see...?

Traction...

A fraction of the whole...

You're but a consciousness, observing the world you are a part of...

You are but a natural organism...

At the edge of time...

You wouldn't read this if you were beneath our feet...

You truly exist...

Not just in your head...

But in the physical world too...

Yet you take yourself for granted... See...

I can't stand that...

So instead... I sit...

Infuse my thoughts with ink... Drink from this cup that's pink... The colour of love...

And make you think...

Mirrors:

So...

What is a reflection...?

A location...

In time and space...

A constellation...

You were once a star up in space...

Supernova...

Destruction led to life...

And here you are now...

Created and born with grace...

Observing your body being reflected in time and space...

But to you...

It's all but one big race... to the end... He said...

Chase not what is external...

But rather create a soul that is eternal... Wisdom passed down...

The Son of Man....

Came down from heaven...

Hands down, young brethren...

Heads down...

My brethren...

Fall to your knees...

And seek redemption...

Seek fluid...

To wash away the dark creations...

Heads down...

My brethren...

Prepare for a great famine...

A time when the soul is craving... But can't get what it seeks...

For you've all depleted your essence...

Mirrors:

Pavements washed away by projections... A road with no end...

Nor boundaries...

So be your hearts and souls...

You have shattered even your arteries... Now you lack what makes you whole...

Mirrors reflect...

They show you yourself...

There is no such thing as coincidence... Just a book on the shelf...

We have already been written...

Born...

And forced to read our own stories... The words are already printed...

But the tone is of our own choosing... Reflections:

This space is but a projection... of your inner world...

Get a cleaner hold...

On reality...

But how can you...

When you're engulfed by The Ego...

Sold excitement...

And harvested for anxiety...

Mythic be sobriety...

Your soul seeks a critical...

Physical need for functionality...

You ignore it...

And instead perceive conformity... Well...

Congratulations...

You have just killed your potential...

You failed to train your avatar... And wonder why it all feels so heavy...

Look at you...

On the brink of extinction...

You can barely move...

Red flags are a warning...

But you saw them as aesthetics... Mirrors:

Mirrors...

Show you what's there...

In the moment...

What you don't see while moving... Seek peace...

But how can you...

When you've begun...

To romanticize the suffering... Reflections:

Oh God...

Mirror us a great flood...

To wash away sins made from blood... And make us pure again...

Once remained...

A sun so pure...

Shines obscure...

Beyond walls...

And into the cold floors...

Of your soul...

Doors close...

Goals degrade...

But your inner child remains pure...

Fewer...

People dare take the leap...

To stake sleep...

Grab the stream...

And jump in...

A world far beyond the collective... Where mirrors surround all that sees...

Ironically so...

You stand in front of a mirror... But you don't see yourself...

All you see is the skin you move in... But not yourself...

The voice that's reading this... That's you...

But have you ever been seen before...?

Up until now...

I've been your mirror...

I see your skin...

But not your bones...

Show them to me...

Just who are you, then...?

.Mirrors.

~Simaneka...

14 February 2026

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, provides a worldwide platform for poets and writers to share their unique voices and perspectives. This competition celebrates creativity in its many forms, fostering a global community of literary artists. Participants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to express their thoughts and stories, contributing to a vibrant tapestry of contemporary literature.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Johannes Nangombe for sharing "Mirrors" with us. Your participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 enriches our understanding of self-awareness and identity. We appreciate your contribution to the world of conscious poetry and look forward to witnessing more of your thought-provoking work.

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.