Regrets and Wrongs - By Sophia Houlihan

Written By: Sophia Houlihan

Category: poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Sophia Houlihan, writing under the evocative name "regrets and wrongs," presents her powerful poem "Regrets and Wrongs" in the poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This piece delves into the complexities of human emotions, exploring the nuances of love, guilt, and self-discovery. Houlihan's work is a testament to the intricate dance between personal desires and moral boundaries.

About the Work

"Regrets and Wrongs" intricately weaves a narrative of emotional conflict and moral introspection. The poem captures the tension between desire and conscience, reflecting on the consequences of choices made in pursuit of love. Houlihan's use of vivid imagery and poignant language creates a haunting mood, prompting readers to ponder the nature of regret and the possibility of redemption.

regrets and wrongs

Original Submission by Sophia Houlihan

Regrets and wrongs

I know.

I know.

Before anyone says it,

before anyone points fingers,

before they tell me what I should have done—

I know.

I knew your name.

I knew hers too.

Knew the stories,

the photographs,

the way people said your names together

like they belonged in the same sentence.

And I knew.

God, I knew.

But somewhere between late shifts

and lingering glances

and conversations that lasted too long,

I started writing a different story.

Not with pen and paper—

with excuses.

I told myself

you weren't happy.

Told myself

people fall out of love.

Told myself

that maybe she wasn't right for you,

that maybe I was.

As if unhappiness was permission.

As if wanting something badly enough

made it mine to reach for.

And I hate that.

Because the truth—

the ugly, ugly truth—

is that it doesn't matter.

Maybe you were unhappy.

Maybe you were already halfway out the door.

Maybe the relationship was cracked and bleeding

long before I ever stepped into the picture.

But none of that changes the fact

that there was a picture.

And I stepped into it anyway.

I saw the line.

And I convinced myself

it wasn't really a line.

I blurred it.

I bent it.

I manipulated the story

because I wanted the ending.

Because I wanted you.

And God, I wanted you.

Enough to become someone

I don't entirely recognize.

Enough to ignore that little voice

that kept whispering,

"This isn't right."

Enough to gamble with somebody else's heartbreak.

And everyone knew.

At work,

in the quiet looks,

in the conversations that stopped when I walked in.

Everyone knew.

Her.

You.

Me.

Like we were all actors in a play

nobody wanted to audition for.

And somehow—

it worked.

That's the part that haunts me.

Because what do you do

when you get what you wanted?

When the thing you spent months reaching for

ends up sleeping beside you?

What do you do

when your prayers get answered

and you don't know if heaven had anything to do with it?

Because maybe it's beautiful.

Maybe it's real.

Maybe you love me.

Maybe I love you.

Maybe we make each other laugh

and maybe you look at me like I've been worth every fight.

But maybe—

maybe something can be real

and still have been born wrong.

And I don't know what that says about me.

I don't know if regret makes me good.

I don't know if guilt makes me innocent.

I don't know if bad people sit awake at two in the morning

wondering whether they're bad people.

I just know

that I hurt someone.

And I know

I helped write that hurt.

And I know

there are things I can explain

but not excuse.

And maybe that's what growing up is.

Not pretending you're the victim.

Not turning yourself into the villain either.

Just standing in front of the mirror

without looking away.

And saying—

I know what I did.

I know.

And I have to live with that.

Not by punishing myself forever.

Not by pretending it never happened.

But by carrying the truth.

By learning from it.

By becoming someone

who wouldn't make the same choices twice.

Because maybe I'm wrong.

Maybe I was wrong.

Maybe love found me

through all the worst parts of me.

And maybe that doesn't make me evil.

But it doesn't make me innocent either.

It just makes me human.

And humans—

God—

we are so terribly,

beautifully,

capable

of loving

and ruining things

at the exact same time.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious event celebrating diverse voices in creative writing. It provides a platform for writers worldwide to showcase their talents and engage with a global audience, fostering a vibrant community of poets and storytellers.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Sophia Houlihan for her poignant contribution, "Regrets and Wrongs," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her exploration of complex emotions resonates deeply, reminding us of the intricate nature of the human experience. We appreciate her sharing this reflective journey with us.

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.