Red Lights - By Neekita Nigam

Written By: neekita nigam

Category: poetry

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Neekita Nigam presents her poignant poem, "Red Lights," as part of the Poetry category in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar. This evocative piece invites readers to explore the profound emotional landscape of inner conflict and transformation. Nigam's work stands as a testament to the power of introspection and the complexity of human emotions.

About the Work

"Red Lights" by Neekita Nigam delves into the themes of emotional turmoil and self-discovery. Through vivid imagery and a contemplative tone, the poem explores the dichotomy of love and hatred, trapped within a metaphorical dome. The red lights symbolize the barriers and constraints faced by the narrator, while the journey towards understanding and liberation unfolds.

Red lights

Original Submission by neekita nigam

RED LIGHTS

The lights turned red before I knew I had changed,

A storm rose within me, though no one knew its name.

I was trapped in the cycle of hatred, or may I say love,

Everyone is not as lucky as an unrestrained dove.

As my hand moved with the flow of a feeling unknown,

I was pulled back by a black hand with red light flown.

I tried to reach the shadows I called home,

But I was trapped in this constraining dome.

A dome full of despise, a dome full of another unknown feeling,

That made the other feeling look like a fling.

Now I know one was admiration and genuine devotion,

The other was a deep ego and abhorrence in motion.

Even after realising this, the red lights are on,

The dome is surrounding me while the familiar shadows are gone.

Part of me knows the reason,

The other wants to treason.

I know comprehension does not produce results on its own,

But it also knows the red light and this dome are not seeds just sown.

They were growing since the birth of a child,

They were taught in doses so mild.

This does not apply to me alone,

It applies to everyone on this earth's lawn.

So if I need to get out of this light so red,

I would need to erase this hatred that was fed.

It is not a job of words and syllables,

I would need to get love symbols,

Which is far beyond what we comprehend.

So...

The lights are turning a deeper shade of red,

Guess it was a victory for the despise fed.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar provides a platform for writers to showcase their creativity and literary prowess. Embracing diverse voices, the competition aims to celebrate the art of writing and the power of words in expressing the human experience.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Neekita Nigam for her insightful contribution, "Red Lights," to the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her exploration of emotions and inner conflict enriches the tapestry of creative expression celebrated through this competition.

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.