Only to Find My Way to You - By Hiral Mankad

Written By: Hiral Mankad

Category: Poetry

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the poignant poem "Only to Find My Way to You," Hiral Mankad delves into the intricate emotions of love and regret. Submitted under the Poetry category for the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, the piece reflects a deeply personal journey of reconciliation and longing. The competition is a prestigious event celebrating creative expression, where participants from diverse backgrounds share their unique voices and stories.

About the Work

Hiral Mankad's poem captures the haunting beauty of lost opportunities and the desire for redemption. The vivid imagery of a once vibrant relationship, now overshadowed by silence and regret, evokes a powerful emotional response. Through evocative language and a reflective tone, the poem invites readers to ponder the delicate balance between professional ambitions and personal connections, ultimately conveying a message of hope and reconciliation.

Only to find my way to you

Original Submission by Hiral Mankad

ONLY TO FIND MY WAY TO YOU!

The candle flickers low tonight,

wax a silver spill,

And silence is a heavy shroud

That settles on the sill.

I’m reaching for a hand to hold, Mandu, which isn’t there

In a house that’s grown too quiet

And a bed that’s grown too cold.

Remember our Clinic?

The sun was in your hair,

We had nothing but our stethoscope

And a single prompted prayer.

We danced inside that breakroom,

The floor was torn

Two tired doctors

Playing God before the grey of dawn.

You wore a lab coat stained with ink,

I wore a nervous grin

I’d give my soul to go back there

And let the dance begin.

But shadows grew

As years flew by

I was hard and proud,

I studied charts and data when I should have spoken loud.

Yes, I bought you pearls

But also turned to paperwork

And let the silence swirl.

I stayed too late at work, trying to fix a strangers heart,

While at home, in quiet rooms, I let our drift apart.

I see you in the clinic though,

Drugs have chocked the rose

I hear you clacking clogs at night

Before the curtains close.

I regret the words I threw like stones, the pride I wouldn’t break,

The way I diagnosed your grief as just a “minor ache”.

I was made of rock, when I should have been made of wool,

I filled our shelves with trophies and wealth,

But left my spirit null.

Now the clock is ticking slower,

And breath is getting thin,

The monitors are fading out

And the dark is closing in.

I’m not afraid of crossing over

Or of what the end might be,

I’m only scared you’ll look at me

And turn away your knee.

But oh, to see that white coat wave across a field of green,

To tell you every secret thing and all I should have been!

Wait for me beside the gate,

Where the light is soft and wide,

I’m finally putting down the mask of a physician’s pride.

The rounds are over, the ward is dim

The long days work is through

I’m signing off the chart at last…Only to find my way to you!

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a distinguished platform for writers to showcase their talents. This annual event encourages participants to explore their creativity and share their stories with a wider audience. Celebrating the art of writing, the competition provides a unique opportunity for emerging and established voices to be heard and appreciated.

Thank you, Hiral Mankad, for sharing the evocative "Only to Find My Way to You" with us. Your participation in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 adds to the rich tapestry of voices and stories that inspire and move us. We appreciate your contribution and look forward to more of your creative expressions 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.