Salau Lives - Three Poems By Salau - By Salau Anthony

Written By: Salau Anthony

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

We are delighted to feature the poetic talents of Salau Anthony in his compelling submission "Salau Lives - Three Poems By Salau" for the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. As a participant in the poetry category, Salau Anthony delves deep into themes of identity, existence, and introspection. His work resonates with a timeless quality, inviting readers to reflect on the nuances of life, perception, and self-awareness. This trilogy of poems presents a rich tapestry of emotions and thoughts, showcasing Salau's unique voice and artistic vision.

About the Work

Salau Anthony's submission is a profound meditation on the human condition, exploring themes of identity, perception, and existential introspection. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, each poem in "Salau Lives - Three Poems By Salau" paints a picture of a journey that is both personal and universal. The work traverses the emotional landscape of life and death, dreams and reality, and the intricate dance between the two. Salau's poetic style is both contemplative and confrontational, challenging readers to examine their own perspectives and experiences.

Salau Lives - Three Poems By Salau

Original Submission by Salau Anthony

BECAUSE I AM

I shed a tear when i breathed my first,

i'll crack a smile when my existence sits in a jar,

grains sifting through eternity's claws,

hearkening to the whispers from the abyss,

under the groan of dust-ridden barks of trees,

averse to the harsh glare of the contemptuous,

the rains don't cleanse what they can't embrace,

the embrace can't comfort that which is formless,

or so we thought, a life lived and yet unlived,

buried in my heart is a home which metal's eyes cannot see,

whose warmth desire’s tongue cannot fathom,

running from one's heart is as futile as a blind looking up to the sky to see sun,

but those heels are eternally coated in dust and weeds,

bloodied nectar, honey coated sword,

unearth all the seeds you were fed as you grew,

never walking, only running,

never breathing, only gasping,

never loving, only desiring,

never joyful, only happy,

never within, only without,

my head was made of soil and worms slithered around without a care,

then they held a mirror up and I was less of what i was and more of what they saw,

no more no more,

i am bleeding,

you must bleed too, i said,

die before you die,

and see that all is life.

A POEM CALLED POEM

I never learned how to fly,

But I was taught to fall,

I made a home from my breath,

In the company of cockroaches I learned to soar,

Reaching inwards, fingers entombed in infinity,

Your home is a garden or a graveyard,

Our tools do not differ, only eyes do,

The bird does not dream of flying, it just does,

My dreams are all I have known all my life,

Shall I shed a tear? Will you see what I see?

Feel what I feel? Laugh when I do?

Differences could never unify, so beware what you preach and hold dear,

Thoughts charred beneath the glare of presence,

I never learned how to run,

Not at my own behest, at least,

All I have known is unending dark,

Why then do you preach of a shadow lurking?

Are we more of the same, or less of the different?

These inquisitions are not yours to answer,

Go back to condemning the blind, spit if you will,

Your eyes are sewn shut yourself,

The needle lives in your palm,

This is why it hurts when you applaud,

Sorry my garment doesn't sparkle, I crawled out of the mud earlier today,

Forgive me if you so please,

I never learned to walk,

My toes were taken from me before I knew what they were,

They never were, never were, never were,

I never learned to crawl,

Four legs bad, two legs good,

I was never intended to open my eyes,

Crawl,walk, run, fly,

Transcend,

But a poem called poem is a painting of my roots,

I am a fully grown tree.

THE SLEEP OF SORROW

Weeds sprout where I lay myself,

And I walk around the forest covered in nothing but nothing,

Underneath attrition’s chokehold I breathe with ease,

Sand-filled to my lungs yet I find relief,

The birds speak in a language that is yet to be written,

The lilies sprout into the Earth and bare their thorns at me,

Lilting melody that is foreign to my hearing, present only at my birthing,

Afters of a tale unlived, unloved and unwritten,

What pose, pray tell, may the poet portray,

To tell of the celestiality that is a babe's first cry?

The illusion that is choice stands denied,

The tale of the straight and narrow held astray,

The bard was scarred, the soubrette subdued,

The flame once quenched, through heart rekindled,

The sleep of sorrow and the dream of joy,

Eyes open yet shut, all is revealed in the dark.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, is a prestigious event celebrating the diversity and creativity of writers from around the world. This competition provides a platform for poets and writers to showcase their talent and share their unique voices with a global audience. Participants submit works that span a variety of genres, reflecting the rich tapestry of human experience and artistic expression. The competition is a testament to the enduring power of the written word to inspire, challenge, and connect us all.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Salau Anthony for sharing his evocative submission "Salau Lives - Three Poems By Salau" with us. His work adds depth and insight to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. We appreciate his participation and the opportunity to showcase his unique poetic voice. We look forward to seeing how his creative journey unfolds and the impact his words will have on readers worldwide.

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.