POV: casual sex - By Isha

Written By: Isha

Category: Essay

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In a compelling entry for the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Isha presents "POV: casual sex," an essay that delves into the emotional intricacies of modern relationships. As part of the Essay category, Isha's work offers a poignant exploration of intimacy and the often unseen layers of human connection. The narrative invites readers to contemplate the complexities of personal identity and emotional fulfillment within the context of casual encounters.

About the Work

Isha's essay, "POV: casual sex," examines the nuanced and often paradoxical nature of casual relationships. The piece is imbued with a sense of introspection, capturing the emotional void and existential reflections that accompany physical intimacy devoid of emotional connection. Through vivid imagery and a candid narrative style, Isha explores themes of identity, loneliness, and the human longing for genuine connection, creating a powerful commentary on the nature of modern intimacy.

POV: casual sex

Original Submission by Isha

Submission for Hashtag Kalakar

POV: casual sex

Written by: Isha

As I lay next to you while you sleep, I look at the skin on your neck, your chest, your face, and I try to feel something. Instead, you're just a body next to me. Your skin is just skin, it is not what holds the human I love with my heart. I look at your eyes, not into them, because it's empty. I look at your silhouette and you are just a shadow, something that's there but makes no difference to me. I trace shapes on your back with my fingertips, and there is no magic seeping into my fingertips. There is nothing poetic about this. How have I landed myself in a place I can't make poetry out of? How have I come to a position where there is nothing to romanticise?

Casual sex. Truly something I never realised could be so meaningless yet so tempting. You put your head on my chest and i caress you while I look up at the ceiling and think to myself, why do I feel the need to give you comfort? Why does it come so naturally to me to be affectionate? Was I really so deprived of love and care that I give it out so easily even to the ones I don't love and care about?

You were in me, but knew nothing about what's in me. You tell me I'm good in bed, but don't know that I'm good with words. You tell me you love my body, but ignore the scars on it. You hear the sounds I make as you go deeper, but you'll never go deep enough in me to hear me love you. You sleep soundly next to me with your arm over me, and as tired as I am, I can't fall asleep. You feel too foreign, uncomfortable, too cold. You've now touched every part of my body but not an inch of my heart. I put my hand in yours as you sleep, I yearn for some affection, but no, you're sleeping too well with my warmth and can't feel what I need. I don't expect you to. I asked for this. I didn't want connection, I didn't want you to love me, I wanted to be just my body to you. And I was. All you could talk about was how amazing my body felt and looked, nothing about who was inside of it. What a shame, and what a relief, to be nothing more than my skin and curves, to not be my pain and my trauma, to be someone I'm not, to have a glimpse of normalcy, to feel everything that matters fade away and to watch only what doesn't, stay.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious international platform that celebrates creativity and literary expression. It invites participants from around the world to share their unique voices and perspectives through various categories, including poetry, essays, and short stories. The competition fosters a global community of writers, offering a space for both emerging and established talents to showcase their work.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Isha for her insightful and thought-provoking essay, "POV: casual sex." Her participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 showcases her ability to articulate the nuanced dimensions of human connection and identity. We are grateful for her contribution and look forward to witnessing more of her literary journey.

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.