SEASONS, SILENCES & OTHER ENDINGS - By Srabasti Majumder

Written By: Srabasti Majumder

Category: Poetry

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the realm of poetic expression, Srabasti Majumder presents "SEASONS, SILENCES & OTHER ENDINGS," a compelling collection of poems featured in Hashtag Kalakar's Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This collection traverses the intricacies of human emotions, nature's cycles, and the silent echoes of life's transitions. Each poem invites readers on a reflective journey through themes of change, love, and the passage of time, capturing the essence of life's inevitable endings and the quiet moments in between.

About the Work

Srabasti Majumder's collection is a meditative exploration of life's seasons and silences. With vivid imagery and introspective musings, her poems delve into the heart of human experience, capturing the beauty and melancholy of change. The work juxtaposes the tangible elements of nature with the intangible emotions of the human soul, creating a rich tapestry of reflection and resonance. The thematic depth and evocative language invite readers to ponder the transient nature of existence and the enduring echoes of life's endings.

SEASONS, SILENCES & OTHER ENDINGS A Collection of Poems (Summer; Autumn; Spring; Son to Father — A Letter; Quiet End; The Echo of the Ending; The Boy Sold Balloons)

Original Submission by Srabasti Majumder

SEASONS, SILENCES & OTHER ENDINGS

A Collection of Poems Submitted by: Srabasti Nag

Email: srabasti.majumder@gmail.com

SUMMER

The gust of hot summer air

Lashing at your already charred soul

Dark cloud whipping up a storm somewhere far.

Heat emanating from the land Where once a peepal reigned, Now barren.

Stubborn concrete fighting to outgrow each other, Cars exhausting fumes like dark spirits.

The world doesn't need more God, Only an exorcist, raining holy water

That seeps through our thick skulls, drawing out the evil, And banishing it to the darkest pit of the universe.

Yes, we need an exorcist to save us, Because we won't.

We would rather watch the devil dance, Perturbed yet spellbound.

AUTUMN

The blush leaves drop from the trees

Like a village bride at the feet of a gypsy hermit Seeking cure for her childless womb.

Here comes Fall-

The leaves and broken hearts

S

C

A

T T

E

R E

D

Everywhere.

Pick them up before winter arrives With all her razzmatazz,

And get going.

SPRING

Spring has been here for a while now.

With her baggage of newly sprouted buds,

The singing of the koel bird, sepia dusk, breakups and nostalgia. Also, with a fair share of pustules, disease and decay.

All of it.

You will either sit in your balcony drinking from the yellow vista of an early evening, Or at a doctor's chamber wheezing and coughing.

Spring is here.

A reminder.

A transition.

An end.

A beginning. Welcome.

SON TO FATHER - A LETTER

I can win every game ahead When you are on my team, My quarterback.

And then we can look up to the sky, Just as now,

Planning and pulling each other's legs, Guffawing silly.

We will live through all of it Dad.

Our high fives and awkward hugs, unwilling to spill our emotions.

Our first fight, tightened jaws

In each other's presence, and then making up (We don't want to upset Mom).

My first shaving and saving, And everything in between.

Your moist eyes behind glasses, With a little gasp of pure happiness.

We will live through all of it, Dad, Spinning memories all the way.

Some will find their way to the walls,

But mostly in our hearts as tales for the future.

QUIET END

She sat by the window, Her favourite spot.

Steaming tea by her side, forgotten.

She stared out,

The looming mass of cloud

overhanging the blue skyscraper, Indecisive.

Just like the unfinished conversation with him last night.

The steam had run out,

Just like the tea beside her.

Cold.

Insipid.

Their minds screamed at each other

For the hugs and kisses that used to light up their hearts like a bonfire. Their love died a slow death.

Only the stench chokes the air now, where silver dreams had once hung Right by the fireplace.

THE ECHO OF THE ENDING

It's always the lasts that matter.

You don't seem to remember the firsts most of the time, but it's always clear how you saw the end of something.

The last day of your school, The last session of your chemo,

The last vacation with your parents.

The last fight with your sibling while your egos grew before you could.

The last time you were the reason for the toothless grin of your grandparents. Or the last time you got a hug from your children

Before they left to pursue their lives.

The firsts often become a blur, A dizzy psychedelic trance.

But the lasts...

They stay with us like a tune of an old song.

We don't hum it often, but once we remember it,

The whole song plays out in our head with such precision.

And then our hearts smile, weep, sigh, bleed-All at once.

THE BOY SOLD BALLOONS

The boy sold balloons at the signal. Only the red ones.

The colour of love.

A smile pasted on his lips

He went about his business.

Six rupees for one.

No more, no less.

He drifted from car to car, counting in his mind to see how far Was he from his meal,

While coins faintly jingled in his pocket.

The boy sold balloons at the signal. Only the red ones.

The colour of blood

That sometimes spurts out of his mouth when he coughs.

He couldn't tell his mother yet.

Not before things got better,

When they would sit face to face with food on their plates.

Till then he held on to his life and balloons by their threads.

And went about his business.

Six rupees for one.

No more, no less.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a celebration of literary creativity and expression. Bringing together diverse voices from around the world, the competition provides a platform for poets and writers to showcase their talents and share their unique perspectives. With a focus on originality and depth, this esteemed competition invites participants to explore the vast landscapes of human experience through their work.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Srabasti Majumder for sharing "SEASONS, SILENCES & OTHER ENDINGS" with us in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This poignant collection of poems offers a profound glimpse into the myriad emotions and transitions of life. We are grateful for the opportunity to feature such a thought-provoking piece and look forward to seeing more of Srabasti's inspiring work in the future.

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.