Seen: Ticks & Unsent Feelings - By Wasim Shaikh

Written By: Wasim Shaikh

Category: Romantic

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the heart of the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Wasim Shaikh presents "Seen: Ticks & Unsent Feelings," a romantic exploration of love in the digital age. Through his evocative writing, Wasim delves into the nuances of unsent emotions and the silent connections formed through screens. The piece captures the essence of modern romance, where unsent messages and fleeting digital interactions create a world of their own.

About the Work

Wasim Shaikh's poem captures the mood and nuances of contemporary romantic experiences. The imagery of digital interactions and unsent texts evokes a world where love is both immediate and distant. The work is rich in metaphor and emotion, exploring themes of longing, vulnerability, and the paradox of feeling deeply connected yet unable to express those feelings fully. It's a portrayal of love that is raw, tangled, and beautifully imperfect.

Seen: Ticks & Unsent Feelings

Original Submission by Wasim Shaikh

Seen: Ticks & Unsent Feelings

That smile of yours -

like sunrays crashing into my notifications.

Soft. Unexpected.

The kind of warmth you don’t search for,

but suddenly need.

Your eyes -

they weren’t just eyes.

They were rainy windows

with galaxies buffering behind.

I looked into them

and saw all my unsent texts,

my fears, my future…

and felt weirdly safe.

Then you came -

and time started glitching.

Like a reel buffering on bad Wi-Fi,

moments looped and feelings paused.

And me? I was just stuck

between “I shouldn’t…” and “I already have.”

First love doesn’t smell of perfume or sound like violins.

It smells like late-night screens

and sounds like typing… then silence.

It’s awkward double texts,

deleted messages,

and playlists you swear aren’t about anyone.

It’s butterflies

triggered by a “hey.”

It’s rebellion - not loud,

but hidden in half-smiles and reactions

you wish you could unsend.

Sometimes I feel like a ghost

haunting my own chats.

Liking memes while thinking of your laugh.

In a room full of people,

but replaying your voice

like a voicemail I never saved.

And no -

this isn’t a fairytale.

It’s raw. It’s tangled.

It’s 3AM overthinking.

It’s typing a paragraph,

then deleting it all.

It’s wondering if “seen” means “forgotten”

or “remembered too well to reply.”

But then you text -

“Hey, I was just thinking about you…”

And suddenly,

every ache turns into air.

You gave me chaos

wrapped in hoodie hugs.

You taught me how digital butterflies feel.

You made a simple blue tick

feel like a promise.

Even if the world calls this

just a phase,

just a chat,

just a crush…

To me?

It’s poetry with no send button.

It’s love in Airplane Mode.

It’s feelings stuck between

backspace and brave.

So if this heart’s been too quiet lately -

Let it whisper.

Let it ache.

Let it crave.

Let it say:

“I’m ready to let myself fall.

I wanna feel your name

echo in my pulse.

I wanna smile at nothing.

I wanna write confessions -

and maybe,

one day…

finally send them."

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform for writers to showcase their talents. Celebrating diverse voices and stories, the competition invites participants to submit works that push the boundaries of creativity. It serves as a vibrant community space where writers can express their unique perspectives and connect with a broader audience.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Wasim Shaikh for sharing "Seen: Ticks & Unsent Feelings" with us. His contribution to the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 resonates deeply with themes of modern love and digital connection. We wish him all the best in his literary journey and look forward to witnessing more of his evocative storytelling.

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.