Streetlights - By Ross Van Broekhuizen

Written By: Ross Van Broekhuizen

Category: Short story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the realm of creative storytelling, Ross Van Broekhuizen's short story "Streetlights" stands as a vivid exploration of courage and whimsy against the backdrop of a serene yet mysterious night. Submitted to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this piece delves into the nuances of a seemingly ordinary night stroll that transforms into an unforgettable adventure. Through evocative imagery and captivating narrative, the story invites readers to embrace the unexpected beauty and intrigue that can be found in the world after dark.

About the Work

"Streetlights" is a rich tapestry of mood and metaphor, intricately weaving the tension between fear and discovery. It captures the essence of a night transformed by an encounter with an enigmatic dancer, turning streetlights into spotlights and the dark into a stage. This literary work masterfully uses imagery to convey a message about finding beauty and joy in unexpected places, encouraging readers to see beyond the ordinary and embrace life's whimsical possibilities.

Streetlights

Original Submission by Ross Van Broekhuizen

Streetlights

The night is calm and beautiful; it’s the perfect time to take a stroll. Many people would be apprehensive as the night is beautiful, but it can also be eerie, and you never know what is lurking in the shadows. I’m willing to take that risk as I need to clear my head, normally I would be weary or circumspect but tonight I feel different, I feel brave, like the night is a room that I’ve always been scared to go into but it’s always been there with a door that’s ajar and tonight when I finally enter, who knows the wonders and joys that I will discover. The air is cool and comforting and I walk briskly at first but then I tell myself to calm down and steady my pace so I can properly take in and relish the serenity of the night. The peacefulness is wonderful, but it is deathly quiet, I keep envisioning a grotesque figure materialising in front of me or emerging from the bushes and my heart starts to thrum as I feel a shiver go down my spine, my boldness quickly turns to angst. I realise that walking into the night is like walking into that aforementioned room but the window is open, there are ghastly silhouettes scattered across the room, the wind is howling and as you step tentatively into the room, the floorboards creak and in an instant the door slams, causing your whole body to stiffen and your face to become pale, the night is fraught with danger and uncertainty and that is why I shouldn’t have opened that door. I’m about to retreat to my safe haven and ensconce myself in my bed sheets, when I see a person in the distance, I’m bewildered as I didn’t expect to see anyone else at this time; perhaps they’re also trying to find comfort in the night and are having more success than me. The fear is rife, but my curiosity gets the better of me, and I start walking gingerly up the road. I inch closer and my heart started to beat vigorously, not out of fear but because the mysterious figure is a girl who is in her element, dancing all over the street with no shame or hesitancy. I rush over to the side and continue to watch as she cavorts, pirouettes or just strides up and down the road, doing it all with such deft and ease, a top-notch performer and when she had expended all her energy, she lay down on the road and fixated her gaze on the starry, night sky, the streetlights engulfed her and I thought to myself, the streetlights and the stars must all be staring in dismay as she has just stolen all their gleam and light. I couldn’t believe how she wasn’t at all perturbed by her surroundings, is she going to fall asleep or is there going to be an encore? I decide that the best option is to reveal myself lest she sees me in the shadows watching her. She stands up and that is when I start to walk over, we make eye contact and she doesn’t look surprised or frightened, she simply smiles and ushers me over, it felt like those instances when a superstar invites a person from the crowd onto the stage and they just have to try to act normal and not seem giddy or overwhelmed. I want to say something, but she immediately puts a finger to her lips, she points at the acacia trees across the road and tells me to listen. I stare intently at the trees and hear the wind buffeting against them, causing the leaves to rustle and in the shrubs nearby, the crickets chirp resoundingly into the night. Both are foreboding sounds, but I had to admit that there was a sense of comfort to it, I look back and tell her that it is the melodies of the night, and she answered by saying that she could listen to it all night long. She then did something unexpected and unleashed a screech that caused me to freeze in horror, she gave a wry smile and I couldn’t help but laugh even though the sound was jarring and assailed my eardrums, I was starting to get a sense of her personality, she obviously has a playful, frivolous side and isn’t afraid to express herself, while also being quaint and ingenuous, not needing an extravagant stage or dazzling lights to perform her repertoire, but instead relying on the simplicity of an asphalt road and shoddy streetlights. I surmised, that she just had the power and influence to transform any dreary and mundane place into something so exquisite, showing that beauty and extravagance can be found anywhere, melodies as well, you just need to stop and listen. I began to realise that the crickets and rustling trees was the melody she was dancing to and the fact she was utilising that as her music, the streetlights as a spotlight and the road as a dance floor- it seemed so whimsical and I loved it, because I had never thought of it in that way. She looked over at me and I became transfixed by her chestnut eyes and the way the moonlight glistened off her golden hair, she gave a slight smile and asked me if I wanted to dance, I smiled and shook my head and told her that she seems so spontaneous and whimsical, like who would have such comfort dancing here under the streetlights, when most people see the streetlights as an indicator to hustle inside but she sees it as a time to dance and immerse yourself in the beauty of the night. She smiles and tells me that the best life you can live is one where you’re never afraid, to live life like a musical where you can sing and dance no matter where you are, she elaborated by saying that streetlights burn all night long but who actually uses them, people don’t see any significance in them but she sees them as glorious spotlights, she then stretched her arms out and said that along with those soothing melodies of the night, you basically have a perfect ambience with a stage, spotlight and music, I laughed and told her that it was whimsical and intuitive and more people should adopt her mindset, she smirked and held her hand out which I took and in that moment all fear and paranoia were dispelled, especially by her elegant presence and inimitable flair. The chirping and rustling started to abate, so keeping in that whimsical spirit, we began to sing our own songs, I realised that she had an old soul like me and we began singing old, classic tunes, I smiled broadly at how we became a harmonious duet. Not only could she dance, but her singing was also remarkable, she had a soaring voice and hit all the notes superbly, I just stood there awestruck and a part of me wondered if she was real or if I was in a reverie, engaging with an ethereal being and that soon I’ll be back in reality. Regardless, I was in another world as I never would of pictured myself doing this or thinking the streetlights were something more than just illumination or that the noises of the night weren’t just a bothersome cacophony but she changed all of that and from that day on I sought to be more like her as it seemed that she had no inhibition and would weave through life in such a confident and dazzling way, everyone will be captivated and her jovial and whimsical spirit will thrive. I didn’t want the moment to end, I wanted us to dance, converse and let the night and all its beauty slowly fade away, the streetlights can continue their vigil until dawn and shine extensively on her, she deserves all the spotlight and the melodies can play until we drop onto the floor and watch the faint glimmer of light about to break through the horizon. To think I was sceptical but I’m so glad I opened that door, I might have expected something else, but it actually turned out to be so blissful and invigorating, she’s definitely the type of person who will open a door and rush in headlong, even when she doesn’t know what to expect. I really hope that I will see her again, but my door will always be open, she has unfettered access and can walk in anytime and see the effect she’s had on my life. A girl with so much grace and exuberance who exudes the dangers and beauty of the night, the type of girl who will comfort and guide you safely through the perils of the night but would also lie in wait and let out a deafening shrill to scare the life out of you, she lives life boldly and in an unpredictable fashion, seeing life through rose-coloured spectacles, finding beauty and significance in places that people would never see. I realised that on that night I had truly found someone remarkable and finding her wasn’t like finding a diamond, it was like finding an entire mine as the more I got to know her and discovered more about her unique persona, the more gems I unearthed, she’s just one of a kind and simply unforgettable. I’m such a bland and simple guy but under those streetlights she ignited something in me, showed me that the best life you can live is an adventurous and whimsical one, synonymous with a musical where you can dance frenetically and you should never be afraid to live boldly and sing your heart out, no matter the circumstances. I never looked at streetlights the same way and the same applied to my life.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating diverse voices in literature. It invites writers worldwide to showcase their creativity and storytelling prowess. This competition is a testament to the power of words and the endless possibilities of human imagination, fostering an international community of writers and readers alike.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Ross Van Broekhuizen for sharing the enchanting story "Streetlights" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your narrative, filled with whimsy and insight, has undeniably resonated with readers, offering a fresh perspective on the beauty hidden within the night. Thank you for your contribution and for inspiring us to see the world in a new light.

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.