Shapeshifter - By Heshani Sheranga Ranasinghe

Written By: Heshani Sheranga Ranasinghe

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Heshani Sheranga Ranasinghe, writing under the name Shapeshifter, offers a moving contribution to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 with her poem "Shapeshifter." This piece, entered in the Poetry category, delves into the transformative nature of pain and the elusive journey toward healing. Through her evocative language and vivid imagery, Ranasinghe captures the essence of change and resilience, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of emotional experiences.

About the Work

"Shapeshifter" navigates the intricate landscape of emotional pain and transformation. Ranasinghe crafts a powerful narrative that explores how pain morphs and adapts, paralleling the inevitable changes of life. The poem's vivid imagery and poignant tone create a profound introspection on the nature of healing and the masks we wear. Through a rhythmic exploration of vulnerability, the piece offers a meditative reflection on the human condition.

Shapeshifter

Original Submission by Heshani Sheranga Ranasinghe

Shapeshifter

By Sheranga Ranasinghe

A bandage covers your

Wounded skin

Itching

As it heals

It heals...

No bandage

Covers your wounded

Heart

As colours

Fade

And darkness descends

Pain becomes

A shapeshifter,

Tuning into

An emotional overdose,

Candidly

Searching for

The muddy patches

That shade your eyes,

That no one

Notices, as you smile

When you close

Your eyes to numb

The pain

Its shift its shape

In minuscule gains

Ensuring

Your breath rhymes

To a beat

Of a pulse

That you sometimes

Wish would fade

You hold on

Selfishly

To some surreal

Notion of reality

Thinking

That someone

Could see

Through the mask

You wear

That they could

Scan and see

The shifter eating

Through your veins

And rescue you

In vain

It’s just today

You tell yourself,

Just another day

To survive

To give the world

A pretty show

So, life will just pass

You by

The only constant

That never lets you

Down,

Never surprises you

Or grabs you from

Behind,

Is “Change”

With your shapeshifter

Changing course

You never know

What tomorrow holds

Needless dreams

You hope to keep

As the visions blur

And memory fade

You will be replaced

In this world someday

By the gush of winds

And pretty sounds

The shifter will

Count its final score

As everything will

Just runs its

Course

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates the diverse voices and talents of writers from around the world. This esteemed event provides a platform for poets and creative writers to showcase their work, fostering a global community of literary enthusiasts. Participants engage in a vibrant exchange of ideas and creativity, contributing to the rich tapestry of contemporary literature.

We extend our gratitude to Heshani Sheranga Ranasinghe for her compelling contribution, "Shapeshifter," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her work invites introspection and resonates deeply with readers, exemplifying the transformative power of poetry. Thank you, Heshani, for sharing your unique voice and perspective with the world.

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.