She Was Only a Girl - By Qaanita Surtie

Written By: Qaanita Surtie

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In her evocative poem "She Was Only a Girl," Qaanita Surtie captures the essence of youthful dreams and the resilience that life often demands. As a participant in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Surtie delves into the tender yet tumultuous journey of a young girl whose visions of love and future are reshaped by reality. The poem, submitted under the Poetry category, invites readers to reflect on the themes of hope, sacrifice, and the enduring strength found in motherhood.

About the Work

"She Was Only a Girl" is a touching exploration of youthful aspirations and the inevitable evolution they undergo. Surtie's work is imbued with a sense of nostalgia and unspoken strength, as she weaves a narrative that speaks of love, hardship, and the quiet heroism of a mother. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt reflections, the poem conveys a message of resilience and gratitude, inviting readers to ponder the complexities of life and the beauty found in unexpected outcomes.

She was only a girl

Original Submission by Qaanita Surtie

She Was Only a Girl

She was only a girl

holding forever in hands

that had barely learned

how to hold themselves.

She believed in love

the way young hearts do-

without backup plans,

without doubt,

without knowing

how quickly dreams

can change their names.

She thought she had found

the man she would grow old beside,

the one who would help her build

a home loud with laughter

and gentle enough

to call peace.

Life had other ideas.

The story she imagined

never reached its final page,

yet somehow,

through all its broken chapters,

I was written into it.

She says she's grateful

she met my father,

because without him

there would never have been me.

I hear those words,

but my heart always wanders

to the girl she used to be-

the teenager who deserved

to keep believing.

I carry that thought

like a quiet weight,

the kind that settles

deep in the bones.

Because I know

she deserved mornings

without worry,

a heart without bruises,

a future that arrived

the way she imagined it.

She deserved more

than what life handed her.

Yet she gathered the broken pieces,

stitched them together

with tired hands

and endless grace,

and somehow made them feel

like a childhood.

She raised me

with strength she never asked for,

with sacrifices

she never announced,

with a love

that never once counted the cost.

And I know

she wouldn't have it any other way.

Not because the pain was fair,

not because the road was kind,

but because at the end of it

she found me.

I am the reason

she can look back

without wishing

every page away.

Still,

I'll spend my life

hoping she knows this:

Before she was my mother,

she was someone's daughter,

a young girl with impossible dreams,

and she deserved

every single one of them.

If I carry anything forever,

it will be her story-

not as a burden,

but as proof

that the strongest women

are often the ones

who first had to survive

being young.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, celebrates the art of expression through the written word. This esteemed competition brings together voices from around the globe, providing a platform for poets and writers to share their unique perspectives and stories. Participants contribute to a rich tapestry of creativity, each work resonating with personal and universal themes that inspire, challenge, and captivate audiences.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Qaanita Surtie for sharing her poignant work, "She Was Only a Girl," with the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her poem provides a profound reflection on the strength found in youth and motherhood, reminding us of the resilience that shapes our lives. We are honored to feature her voice and look forward to the continued impact of her 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.