Motherhood - By Akira Singh

Written By: Akira Singh

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Akira Singh presents a heartfelt exploration of the journey of motherhood in her poem, "Motherhood," submitted to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This poignant piece captures the essence of a mother's evolving relationship with her daughter, from birth through adulthood, highlighting the emotional complexities, joys, and challenges of parenting. Through vivid imagery and emotive language, Singh invites readers to reflect on the universal experiences of nurturing and love.

About the Work

"Motherhood" delves into the emotional tapestry of a mother's life, portraying moments of joy, frustration, and deep connection. Through Akira Singh's evocative style, the poem paints a vivid picture of a mother's journey, illustrating the tender bond between mother and daughter as they navigate life's stages. The piece captures the profound, often unspoken, emotions that accompany parenthood, resonating with anyone who has experienced the transformative power of familial love.

Motherhood

Original Submission by Akira Singh

Motherhood - Akira Singh

Motherhood

A sharp wail commands the room,

Tension loosens from the woman,

A sigh of relief escapes her,

The doctor cuts the umbilical cord,

Hands busy themselves and give it to the mother,

She releases a laugh-cry, “My baby…”

The mother clenches her child,

Humming a lullaby,

Cooing to calm her down,

She gives the baby a loving look and says,

“I’ll always protect you, my sweet girl,”

The crying stops,

The newborn falls asleep.

“Mummy!”

The little girl screams,

Barely six-years-old,

Trotting with her little hands and feet,

Her mother looks at her with an endearing expression,

Whenever she sees her child,

She lights up,

“I drew our family,” she exclaims,

“It’s wonderful!” replies the mother,

Kissing her all over,

Her tiny face fills with happiness,

They complete each other in a fulfilling way,

She squeals when her mom picks her up,

They spin in the sunlight,

Giggling while the soft breeze brushes them.

“Mom, this dress is ugly!”

The irritated 12-year-old girl shouts,

She stares at her supposedly ‘bare’ wardrobe,

Her anger increasing,

“Sweetie, we bought this last week,”

Replies, the impatient mother,

She wipes away the sweat from an exhausting day,

Giant bags lay under her eyes,

“Mom, I need something else!”

The mother sighs,

“Why don’t we-”

“No! Why don’t I have better things?!”

The girl slumps her shoulders and moves to the bed,

A tight pain squeezes the mother’s heart,

Her head fills with worrisome thoughts,

Have I not done enough for her? Am not working hard enough?

And the worst thought of them all,

Am a good mother?

Teenagerhood is the beauty of change,

A leap from a girl to a woman,

It’s the stage where your daughter views social media as fact,

Everything natural seems wrong,

Unrealistic expectations seem right,

She ends up needing everything grown woman do,

She can’t be…

just a girl,

The mother counsels her,

“You’re beautiful the way you are, Sweetie,”

“Stop it, mom! It’s not enough!”

The mother, hurt and understanding,

Leaves the room,

Closing the door,

That’s the thing about teenagers,

They don’t want to listen to what you have to say,

All the care about is the opinions of others,

The mother curls up on the couch,

Silent tears fall,

She doesn’t know how to relate to her daughter,

Not only is she working to provide for her child,

But also,

Raising that girl to be a confident woman.

“Mom, I miss you,”

Crys the twenty-something-year-old woman,

“You’ll be home soon, Sweetie,”

Says the old mother,

The daughter left for college,

The mother is all alone,

She waits for her child to come home,

The daughter realizes how much she needs her mom,

That she can’t do anything without her,

“Mom, this is hard!”

Whines the girl,

“But you can handle it,”

The mother laughs quietly at her dramatic daughter,

“Mom! Are you making fun of me?”

“No, Sweetie, you’re just acting cutely,”

The child continues to tell her mother about her day,

While she talks,

The mother realizes,

She did her best raising that little newborn all those years ago,

She struggled and worked and provided,

And her daughter grew into a strong woman,

But sometimes,

She needs to remind her child of that,

And that’s the process of motherhood.

________________

“Sweetie,”

“Yes, mom?”

“I love you.”

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating the creative talents of writers worldwide. It provides an opportunity for poets and authors to share their work with a global audience, fostering a vibrant community of literary expression. The competition is renowned for its diverse range of submissions, showcasing unique voices and perspectives from various cultures and backgrounds.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Akira Singh for sharing the beautiful poem "Motherhood" with us. Your participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 contributes to a rich tapestry of voices and experiences. We appreciate the depth and emotion you have brought to this cherished theme, and we look forward to seeing more from you in the future.

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.