On Walking The Coast Near Haga Haga - By Max du Toit

Written By: Max du Toit

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Max du Toit presents "On Walking The Coast Near Haga Haga," a compelling villanelle that captures the serene yet powerful interplay between land and sea. This poetic work, shared under the Poetry category, draws readers into a mesmerizing coastal journey. Max's contribution stands out for its rhythmic grace and vivid imagery, painting a picture of nature's raw beauty along the coastline.

About the Work

"On Walking The Coast Near Haga Haga" is a villanelle that masterfully combines the repetitive structure with rich imagery. The poem evokes the rugged beauty of the coast, exploring themes of solitude and the relentless force of nature. Max du Toit's use of language is both precise and evocative, with each line contributing to the overarching mood of serene contemplation and the ever-present power of the ocean.

On Walking The Coast Near Haga Haga

Original Submission by Max du Toit

On Walking The Coast Near Haga Haga

To A. and J. H—

A Villanelle

While grass-slopes rove above — unmeshed, unmown —

I hear how, as my footsteps forwards fall,

The ocean ramps below on sea-slick stone.

The track has sunk down in the turf, alone

Along the crowns of cliffs, save seagull call,

While grass-slopes rove above — unmeshed, unmown.

The wayside blinks with blanks of abalone,

Carried and left, as, kilometres tall,

The ocean ramps below on sea-slick stone.

A breeze is lilting by the hillside — blown

From seabrine, whistling up the mere-sheer wall,

While grass-slopes rove above — unmeshed, unmown.

A seastack squats, a hulk of coastal bone,

Straggled with weed, and pocked by storm and squall:

The ocean ramps below on sea-slick stone.

And though I leave the farther path unknown,

Setting my foot to find my hearth and hall,

While grass-slopes rove above — unmeshed, unmown —

The ocean ramps below on sea-slick stone.

Notes:

Line 8: “kilometres tall” qualifying the ocean, not the cliffs.

Line 11: “mere” meaning sea; boundary; pure(ly) or simply; and, somewhat, sparkling.

Line 14: “Straggled” being used as a combination of strangled and straddled, as well as suggesting the root word straggle.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar invites writers from around the world to showcase their creativity and literary talent. This prestigious event celebrates diverse voices and artistic expression, providing a platform for poets and writers to share their unique perspectives and stories with a global audience.

We extend our gratitude to Max du Toit for sharing "On Walking The Coast Near Haga Haga" with the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. His villanelle offers a beautiful glimpse into the coastal landscape, enriching the competition with its vivid imagery and rhythmic elegance. Thank you, Max, for your participation and for contributing to the tapestry of creative expression.

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.