Please don't buy me flowers - By Megan

Written By: Megan

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Megan invites readers into a deeply personal exploration with her poem "Please don't buy me flowers," featured in the Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This evocative piece delves into themes of love, honesty, and the complexities of human relationships. Megan's work stands as a poignant reminder of the emotional depth inherent in authentic connections, challenging societal perceptions of love and commitment.

About the Work

Megan's poem artfully navigates the intricate dance of love and self-awareness. Through vivid imagery and honest reflection, the piece confronts the superficiality often found in modern relationships. It speaks to the yearning for genuine connection over fleeting attention, advocating for transparency and mutual understanding. The work's tone is contemplative, yet resolute, capturing the internal conflict between desire and reality.

Please don't buy me flowers

Original Submission by Megan

Please don’t buy me flowers.

I’m normally too shy to admit

How this heart has no limit.

My heart is capable of more love than I give it credit for.

Often, I think that’s why I get hurt.

But whether you love your toaster or not, it will always do the same thing - make toast.

As is the same with bad lovers.

You can give them all the love in the world but that won’t ever change who they are.

Some men don’t want love.

They want the one-night stands, not having to cut ties because they were never there to begin with.

You’ll say I sound like a “feminist”, like half the women who say, “all mean are cheaters”.

Though I don’t speak from a pedestal or a place of judgment.

I merely want these men to become more honest to themselves and to me.

Not wanting the love that I want is okay.

Just don’t play games

Don’t try to catch some kind of fame

By saying you want the same.

Don’t try to convince yourself that you’re ready to settle down, that that’s something you desire.

Because in the end, you’ll only end up losing yourself.

That sounds like a paradox, maybe because it’s a bit unorthodox.

But with each failed attempt to settle down, you only lose more faith in love.

You only feed your desire to be in a different bed each night.

To not commit to anything but this sin.

You crave the picture-perfect body, and no calls about why you didn’t answer my texts.

You’ll say you don’t want anyone blowing up your phone

Perhaps you should take your own advice, because it seems you only remember me after you see pictures of me going out

Because you only hit me up so much because you want to be the one taking off my tight dress

Most girls would think you’re starting to see what you lost.

They haven’t yet realised you’re selfish

More than stuck up.

Unsure of yourself.

Maybe this temptation that hunts you down is what causes you to fall from grace.

But getting all prideful instead of apologising only makes it worse.

Throwing cash in a club and being huddled around by 20 girls might make you feel good.

But feeling like a king and actually being one are two very different states.

Each girl thinks you’re just going through a phase

I don’t recall you being related to the moon, but I’ve had such perceptions before.

But no more.

No more will I decrease the surface area of my heart

Constantly pulling in the fence.

Always on the defence.

I won’t act like all I want is a good time, when that’s not what I desire.

When I want I dos,

The bells

The works

The ups and downs,

The breaking of dishes.

The slow dances in our new kitchen.

It’s small but at least it’s ours.

Racing down the streets to feel more alive

Or even late-night talks

Or walks

Whatever the deal, it wouldn’t matter because I’d be with you.

I want the picket fence but not a white one.

I could do with a house on the hills but one in an open field would be nicer.

See I can follow tradition, but not too a T.

A horse and a carriage sound too extravagant, but a wedding on the beach sounds peaceful.

We can skip the huge crowds and the millions spent on a venue and decorations.

Whatever the deal, it wouldn’t matter because I’d be with you.

A boy or girl

Or 20 dogs before that.

A Benz, or Porsche.

Trips to Bali or Spain.

These may seem minute, but there’s a principle you’re missing.

Ben wants to kiss new lips every night

He desires all eyes on him from the beauty of the eye candy on his shoulder.

Whether her name is Cindy or Belinda, he doesn’t care.

He’s not in it for connection or for emotional intimacy

No, Ben only cares for the praises he gets from having a body count higher than his age.

Honestly, he just wants to feel like a man, but with no proper figure to show him what that looks like

I understand why his perceptions may be distorted.

Ben doesn’t care to know me, unless it entails the stripping of my clothes.

He doesn’t want to be counted on, to be called when life gets tough.

And that’s okay, it’s Ben’s life and I don’t have the energy to change him.

But that’s not what I want.

I don’t want a Ben.

I pray I never meet a Ben in disguise; those Bens are the worst.

And that’s okay.

What’s not okay is you being with Ben because you mistake attention and lust for love.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating diverse voices in the literary arts. It provides poets and writers an opportunity to share their unique perspectives and insights with a global audience. The competition showcases a rich tapestry of creativity, fostering a community of literary enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Thank you, Megan, for sharing "Please don't buy me flowers" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your introspective and heartfelt poem offers readers a profound reflection on love and honesty. We appreciate your contribution to this celebration of creativity and look forward to more of your thought-provoking work.

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.