Rent-free (unfortunately) - By Kyna Nair

Written By: Kyna Nair

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In her evocative poem "Rent-free (unfortunately)," Kyna Nair invites readers into a realm of introspection and emotional depth. As a participant in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Kyna explores the intricacies of memory and unresolved feelings through her poignant verses. This piece captures the essence of lingering thoughts and emotions, offering a profound reflection on personal change and the enduring impact of past connections.

About the Work

"Rent-free (unfortunately)" delves into the complexities of unspoken relationships and their lasting influence. Through vivid imagery and candid expression, Kyna Nair encapsulates the chaos and subtle transformation that arises from unresolved emotions. The poem weaves a narrative that is both personal and universally relatable, inviting readers to ponder the nature of change and the remnants of past experiences that reside within us.

Rent-free (unfortunately)

Original Submission by Kyna Nair

Rent-free (unfortunately)

I swear I was having

a completely normal day.

Until you popped into my head

out of nowhere.

And suddenly,

I can’t focus on anything else.

Which is insane,

because we never even dated.

No labels.

No proper beginning,

no endings that made sense.

Just you…

staying anyway

In arguments.

In silence.

In the middle of me pretending

I didn’t care.

And somehow,

you never really left.

Which is exactly the problem.

Because it was never loud.

Never dramatic.

Just consistent chaos.

The kind that slowly changes you

without asking permission first.

Making you forget what “normal” felt like.

And somewhere in all of it,

I started changing too.

More reckless.

More emotional.

Less careful with life

like suddenly everything became

something worth fighting through

instead of avoiding.

And now it’s almost funny.

Because you don’t even do anything anymore.

You just show up in my head

at the worst possible moments

like:

“Hi :)”

And my whole day is gone.

Honestly?

Rude.

And the worst part is this:

we never even named

whatever this was.

But somehow,

it still feels unfinished.

Just… stayed

like it got stuck

somewhere between nothing

and everything.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, is a prestigious event celebrating literary creativity and artistic expression. This competition attracts participants from around the world, showcasing diverse voices and unique perspectives across various genres. It is a platform for writers to share their work with a global audience and engage with a community of literary enthusiasts.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Kyna Nair for sharing "Rent-free (unfortunately)" as part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your exploration of memory and emotional complexity offers readers a profound glimpse into the human experience. Thank you for contributing your talent and perspective to this remarkable literary event.

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.