Sometimes you are not dealing with an adult, but a child. - By Aahana Suri

Written By: Aahana Suri

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Aahana Suri presents an evocative piece titled "Sometimes you are not dealing with an adult, but a child" in the Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This submission dives into the complex interplay between adulthood and childhood, challenging the perceptions of maturity and innocence. Through her eloquent verses, Suri invites readers to reflect on the persistent child-like essence within us all, even as we navigate the adult world.

About the Work

The poem intricately weaves themes of innocence, growth, and the unyielding presence of the child within. Suri uses vivid imagery to depict the journey from infancy to adulthood, highlighting the layers of experience and wisdom that accumulate over time. Her poignant language evokes a sense of nostalgia and contemplation, urging readers to acknowledge the child-like core that remains unchanged amidst life's transformations.

Sometimes you are not dealing with an adult,but a child.

Original Submission by Aahana Suri

Sometimes we are not dealing with an adult, but a child

Sometimes we are not dealing with an adult, but a child

The globe splits and shifts, crowds of footprints shuffle each other's shadows on sidewalks as the magma caresses its carcasses: the lives of children with slate hair and pendulous skin.

The child's first step: subdued infants must peel the layers of their fresh jammy skin and watch it elastically shrink into your faux savior-faire.

Its arms will grow long and so will its legs

while the soul incarnates the temple, not beyond

We are not allowed.

For the soul, the core of the structure - through adolescence, after birth and between deaths, will never decay.

For the bodies, layers of soot sedimented above and around are occasionally disrupted by the footing of the men you hate on land and in this time.

We are stepping on children we failed, who perished in your adult wisdom.

The world was broken from the start, how dare You think you can fix it.

And as the circle goes,

after the hecatomb of Life,

sits the child in a pit of vacuity.

more mature than most,

more immature than most.

in that pit lies the answer, tread carefully though we all

fall in.

Sometimes we are not dealing with an adult, but a child.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating creativity and expression. This competition invites poets and writers from around the world to showcase their literary talents, providing a stage for diverse voices and stories to be heard. Participants explore a wide array of themes, contributing to a vibrant tapestry of global narratives.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Aahana Suri for her thought-provoking submission, "Sometimes you are not dealing with an adult, but a child," in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her work enriches the competition with its introspective depth and artistic flair. We look forward to seeing more of her literary contributions 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.