Poor Girl - By Dhanya Venkatachalam

Written By: Dhanya Venkatachalam

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the compelling poem "Poor Girl," Dhanya Venkatachalam presents a vivid exploration of the emotional journey of a young woman grappling with the intersection of love, identity, and vulnerability. As a participant in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Dhanya offers a keen insight into the complexities of youthful emotions through her powerful writing. Her work is a testament to the struggles many face in balancing heart and mind, and it resonates deeply with readers on a universal level.

About the Work

"Poor Girl" captures the essence of a young woman's inner turmoil as she navigates the conflicting emotions brought on by a romantic relationship. Dhanya's use of poignant imagery and introspective narrative draws readers into the protagonist's world, highlighting themes of love, self-worth, and the fear of loneliness. The poem's emotive language and reflective tone invite readers to consider the personal sacrifices made in the name of love.

Poor girl

Original Submission by Dhanya Venkatachalam

Poor girl

There is a girl wandering the halls of my school.

She’s a studious girl,

driven,

focused,

but today her mind is elsewhere.

Why is the smart girl

suddenly failing tests?

Why is this girl who near never shows her true emotions in public

silently wiping tears during class?

No one notices,

of course.

She’s made sure of that.

The girl was strong minded,

believed no man would ever make her cry,

and that she could bounce back stronger.

She quickly realized she was wrong.

It’s pathetic,

the girl thought,

the power he had over me,

the ability to break me.

It’s weak,

she believed,

the affect his presence had on her emotions,

how quickly her mind drifted.

It’s embarrassing,

she realized

as she sat in first chair of the top orchestra,

messing up notes that she’s played a thousand times perfectly.

Who hurt her?

Who taught her that pain from breakups was shameful,

that crying was humiliating

and that love meant sacrificing individuality?

The girl couldn’t help it though,

she fell too deep,

loved him too hard.

There’s a time in every girl’s life

where she has to choose between

their heart,

and their brain.

But this girl thought this question was simple:

always choose your brain,

right?

Because she said she would never settle

for someone who treated her even remotely without respect,

no matter how much she cared for them.

She was,

again,

wrong.

Because for some reason,

she still craves his half-assed “love”

and the bare minimum things he does occasionally

that makes her believe he’s a gentleman.

For some reason,

all she can do is think about him,

the weird things she did that must have driven him away,

or the fact that she can’t help but overanalyze every little fight or inconvenience,

blaming herself for the latter.

At night,

she reads through her old poems-

old memories-

and wonders where she went wrong.

This bubbly girl

who reads romance books and watches 2000s romcoms,

fell for a guy who doesn’t even like the idea of romance.

She fell for the slightest bit of attention she got,

because secretly,

deep inside,

she was truly terrified

that no one would ever love her.

And so this girl ultimately chose

love

over dignity.

Because what if her fear

ends up to be reality.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a platform celebrating diverse voices from around the world. It encourages creative expression among poets and writers, fostering a global community of literary enthusiasts. This competition is a beacon for new and seasoned writers alike, offering them an opportunity to share their unique stories and perspectives on a global stage.

We extend our gratitude to Dhanya Venkatachalam for sharing her evocative poem "Poor Girl" with us. Her participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 highlights the depth and diversity of young voices in contemporary poetry. We look forward to seeing more of Dhanya's insightful and moving work 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.