My People - By Lauren D Armour

Written By: Lauren D Armour

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Lauren D Armour's poignant poem, "My People," is a compelling entry in the Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her work delves deep into the societal challenges faced by individuals and communities, reflecting on the pervasive issues of mental health, violence, and identity loss. Through vivid imagery and emotive language, Armour calls upon her readers to confront these harsh realities and seek transformation.

About the Work

"My People" is a powerful lamentation on the state of society, addressing the factors that contribute to a cycle of violence and despair. Armour's poem employs a raw, evocative style that emphasizes the urgency of her message. She utilizes vivid metaphors to illustrate the destructive behaviors that plague her community, urging a collective awakening and healing. The poem is a call to action, encouraging individuals to reflect and instigate change from within.

My People

Original Submission by Lauren D Armour

My People

By Lauren D. Armour

I Cry for my people

They have opportunities to live life on extraordinary ways

But they’ve become so lost and embedded in selfish desires

Caught up so deep in what they face

Hard to go back from whence they came

I Weep for my people

Something so dark is drifting among them

Causing them to do insane even unspeakable things.

What has gone on in their lives to cause them to become so violent and cruel?

Suicide is off the charts, mental health issues are increasing at a alarming rate, people suffering from identity loss where they create false realities to cover what they truly face, children being bullied left and right and not just by their peers but by their teachers and adults too. responding the only way they know how and dare anybody to get in the way…

Young thang wanna bang bang ,rocking that black and red: that red and blue

Even many who were meant to protect and serve you are loosing their minds .

You got, serial killers prowling on others cutting people up limb from limb like it’s nothing more than a piece of wood…

Taking life with so much hatred and do you want to know WHY?

Because someone got hurt by somebody else and decided to pass down the haunting spirit of hurt, deceit and pain…

Negative energy piling on top of negative energy

Building up like a volcano and erupting it’s destructive nature on everyone in sight

I am afraid for my people

They’ve victimized themselves

Putting themselves in crazy predicaments that breaks the path they take

Lured in like a fish looking to feed, the bait what ever draws the matter of the heart.

Digging themselves in an unending ditch

Embracing the darkness of life as if that is all there is

Can you imagine yourself in a victims shoes

Of insane crimes?

People see it on the news or knows someone whose been there

Finding loved ones lost and slowly tortured by some other force dress in flesh.

My people are lost

They’ve wandered deeper than the depths of the oceans

Caught up by the worlds standards of what is or isn’t

Controlled by the enticing spirit of lust and wantonness

Greed consumes them

Running in circles trying to find a place of solitude find themselves in one big black empty space

When will you wake up and shake what has held you in bondage’

When will you face truth

My People the time has come to shake whatever Influence that holds a firm grip and take control of yourself

I mourn for my people

They’ve gotten so entangled by the cares of this world

Polluting themselves with whatever make the pain go away

Whatever self indulging act that prevents them from face truth

Engulfing themselves in self afflicting torment due to their haunting past

Passing this virus on continuously for generations

Just because someone did something to them

Our children are suffering because of us

We’ve laid down the damaged yet broken foundation with cracks and chipped off pieces

Leaving behind a world of corruption what hope do they have to stand on!?

The number one victim has always been children

They’re thrown into a society of vultures

They’re abused in numerous ways

Life lost before it’s live

Converted into something dark

You can’t even imagine how much greater of a evil of destined to come forth

My people when will you stand above this stereotypical category of every one for themselves?

When will you wake up and realize that one action can affect a person, community and nation.

What you unleash can grow and spread like an infectious disease traveling by air consuming anyone susceptible to receive it

My people

the only way to make change in this life is to start with that reflection in the mirror

Correct yourselves, seek God and take the steps to heal that which is broken within you And grow with a new level of thinking

What you plant shall grow

Feed it right it’ll grow full bloom but remain careless it shall wither away and perish

We must spend less time taking vengeance on each other and spend more time reconstructing self

Make the change with yourselves first my people so that you can stand with a true purpose a cause

Make the change my people so that there will be a new hope for the youth for generations to come.

* Lauren D. Armour

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, is a prestigious platform that gathers voices from around the world, showcasing the power of literary arts. This competition celebrates diversity in expression and provides a stage for writers to address critical themes and personal narratives through poetry and creative writing.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Lauren D Armour for her powerful contribution, "My People," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her insightful exploration of societal issues and the call for introspection and change resonates deeply. We look forward to witnessing her continued impact through the written word.

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.