Once upon a time I was in school too - By Sweta Roy Chakraborty

Written By: Sweta Roy Chakraborty

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Sweta Roy Chakraborty presents a heartfelt poetic journey titled "Once upon a time I was in school too" as part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. In this evocative piece, Chakraborty reflects on the transformative stages of life from childhood innocence to adulthood, all set against the backdrop of school experiences. This competition celebrates creativity and expression across the globe, providing a platform for voices like Chakraborty's to resonate deeply with audiences.

About the Work

Chakraborty's poem captures the innocence and evolution of a child's perspective on friendship, education, and societal influences. Through vivid imagery and poignant expressions, the piece explores themes of nostalgia and change, highlighting how relationships and priorities shift over time. The poem's gentle rhythm and reflective tone invite readers to reminisce about their own school days, evoking emotions of warmth and introspection.

Once upon a time I was in school too

Original Submission by Sweta Roy Chakraborty

Once upon a time I was in school too

A toddler in a pink pinafore,

Walks hand in hand with Grandpa to the door.

Chubby cheeks and curly hair,

Eyes aglow, with joy to share.

She looks around with wide, round eyes,

At all the children at the gate.

“Grandpa, are they, my friends?” she asks

He smiles and says, “In time. Just wait.”.

The years go by, the toddler is now a child

Calm in the classroom, gentle and mild.

She is Papa’s angel, Mother’s pride,

With Grandpa watching from the sky.

Her teachers love her, her friends adore

She is kind and calm, and loved even more.

She shares her lunch with all who ask,

And kindness is her easiest task.

The primary years are nearing their end,

And the friendships she cherished begin to bend.

The rosy glow of friendship has changed,

The warmth they once shared now feels strained.

The friends she adored have drifted apart,

As status and money enter the heart.

What once was filled with laughter and care,

Is Now measured by the brands you wear.

Knock, knock- the teenage years are at the door

Hush, hush- The whispers grow more and more.

Something has changed in the friendship,

It has a new name to go: relationship.

The boys she grew up with, side by side

Suddenly started taking sides.

The girls with whom she once shared her lunch

Now talk of the boys’ status so much.

Fit in, or be left behind with a sigh

She chooses to walk with her head held high.

She sees the picture was never cosy

It was the glasses she wore that made it rosy.

Very young in age, she learns a truth,

That money can shape the dreams of youth.

Her career must rest on capability,

For limited means leave little possibility.

College waits at the threshold ahead,

With hopes in her heart and dreams in her head.

A new world awaits, with new faces and friends,

A chapter begins where the old one ends.

A totally new place, a totally new start,

New roads to discover, a new map to chart.

Finding her foothold is harder than she knew,

Yet step by step, she pushes through.

Time turns the page and the roles reverse

She becomes the teacher in the school.

The story repeats as she waits at gate

To greet the little ones, as she was greeted too

Now every child has an iPad to scroll,

And crayons and drawing books have lost their role

They tap a colour, the screen fills the space,

And the classroom is a quieter place.

Playground stories and friendships are done,

Heads bowed low, they scroll, one by one.

No time to talk, no time to share

And even kindness has grown rare

Time goes by, yet the story stays the same

Only the world has changed its name.

The days go by in a hurried blur,

And AI becomes part of who we are.

Small fingers cannot hold a pencil right,

And few can form the letters when they write.

They struggle with colour and with art,

But they know the words that pierce the heart.

Is this the world we entered as a toddler?

Is this the world we decided to build?

Empathy is scarce and respect is thin,

And teachers, like puppets, must always give in

Evidence is gathered, collected and filed,

While the quiet joy of learning is left behind.

Somewhere between the files and the score,

The student’s learning is valued no more.

The papers and files tell what was done,

But do they tell if learning was a fun?

No one pauses to as what the learning brought,

Was it meaningful practical or only what the record sought?

Yet every morning she stands at the gate

With a smile and an open hand for the ones who wait.

Some things no file can measure or hold:

A kind word, a patient hand, a story told.

The years roll on, with new batch in school

The record says her time is up, by the rule.

She is sad to see how empty their days can seem

Curious minds lost in a screen’s cold gleam.

Her teaching journey comes to a close,

Her name is struck off the payroll, and off she goes.

The gate she entered holding Grandpa’s hand,

Looks the same, yet has a different stand.

The school has changed, the children too,

And she herself, along the way too.

She looks back at her golden school days

And compares them with her teaching ways.

She tried her best to give them the best

She will let time decide the rest.

Was it too soon to say goodbye to the young mind?

Too soon to leave those curious eyes behind?

But with a smile in her eyes and a sweetness in her heart

She turns the page to the next part.

Perhaps, in another chapter, another place, another time,

She will open a book, smile on a child, and softly say—

“Once upon a time,

I was in this school too.”

Dedicated to my dearest friend and colleague, Madhuri Ma’am.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is an esteemed platform celebrating literary creativity and diversity. The competition encourages writers and poets from around the world to share their unique voices and stories. It serves as a beacon for emerging talents, fostering a vibrant community of wordsmiths and honoring the art of storytelling in its many forms.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sweta Roy Chakraborty for sharing her touching poem, "Once upon a time I was in school too," with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her evocative words remind us of the enduring impact of our school days and the lessons learned along the way. Thank you, Sweta, for your beautiful contribution.

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.