Rent, Rice, and Dreams - By Joe Lyimo

Written By: Joe Lyimo

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Joe Lyimo shares a powerful entry titled "Rent, Rice, and Dreams." This poem, submitted in the poetry category, delves into the challenging intersection of survival and aspiration. Through vivid imagery and poignant reflections, Lyimo captures the essence of dreaming big amidst life's financial pressures.

About the Work

"Rent, Rice, and Dreams" by Joe Lyimo is a reflective piece that explores the harsh realities of balancing dreams with everyday survival. The poem eloquently portrays the struggle of managing financial constraints while nurturing aspirations. With vivid imagery and heartfelt lines, Lyimo effectively conveys the message of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.

Rent, Rice, and Dreams

Original Submission by Joe Lyimo

Vienna is beautiful.

But beauty doesn’t pay rent.

You learn that quickly.

You learn that when your bank account

starts speaking in silence.

When your fridge becomes

a museum of light.

When you calculate your life

in euros and sacrifices.

"Okay… if I skip this meal,

I can afford that opportunity."

"Okay… if I don’t go out,

I can invest in my dream."

"Okay… if I just hold on a little longer…"

And suddenly,

you’re not living

you’re negotiating with survival.

I’ve eaten meals

that were more imagination than food.

Rice and hope.

Bread and “it will be okay.”

And somehow,

you convince yourself

"This is temporary."

But temporary

has a way of overstaying.

Still…

you wake up.

Still…

you write.

Still…

you create something out of nothing.

Because where I come from,

we don’t just survive

we remix struggle.

We turn pain into punchlines,

into poems,

into purpose.

I’ve seen people build empires

from borrowed strength.

I’ve seen mothers stretch one meal

into a miracle.

So yeah

Vienna is expensive.

Life is expensive.

Dreams?

Even more.

But I am still here.

Still choosing this path

even when it doesn’t choose me back.

Still believing

that one day,

my art will pay my rent,

my words will feed my hunger,

and my story

will be enough.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating the diversity and creativity of writers worldwide. It aims to showcase unique voices and perspectives through various forms of writing, including poetry, short stories, and essays. The competition provides a space for writers to express their creativity and share their stories with a global audience.

Thank you, Joe Lyimo, for sharing "Rent, Rice, and Dreams" with us. Your contribution to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 is a testament to the power of words and the resilience of the human spirit. We appreciate your participation and look forward to seeing where your creative journey takes you.

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.