Tangerines And Tea(Final version) - By Thejashree Gandhamaneni

Written By: Thejashree Gandhamaneni

Category: Poetry

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the realm of evocative poetry, Thejashree Gandhamaneni presents "Tangerines And Tea," a reflective piece featured in Hashtag Kalakar's Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This submission delves into the nuances of familial bonds and cultural traditions, offering a vivid portrayal of life and relationships set against the backdrop of Kashmir. Gandhamaneni's poetic voice captures the essence of shared experiences and introspection, making it a compelling entry in the competition.

About the Work

"Tangerines And Tea" paints a vivid picture of domestic life through its rich imagery and reflective mood. The poem weaves together the delicate threads of tradition, memory, and introspection, highlighting the subtle beauty and complexity of family dynamics. Through its evocative language and poignant metaphors, the poem invites readers to ponder the deeper meanings of seemingly mundane moments. Gandhamaneni's work is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of human experience.

Tangerines And Tea(Final version)

Original Submission by Thejashree Gandhamaneni

Tangerines and Tea

The Poet's Note:

From mother's silver to father's hands, tangerines are best when they are peeled together and not just passed down.

Pahalgam, Kashmir - 10:37AM

The pink kahwa nearly spills

onto the half-cut tangerine rind.

Maa slices it into portions-

forefinger pressing sideways,

tongue rolled under broken teeth.

Baba reads the akhbaar,

papers sitting on his belly.

The men mull over politics,

biscuits dipped in tea...

Ladies sit by the kitchen-

hands dried in flour.

---

1:37 PM - The Squeezed Tangerine

The seething kettle

stings my salt-crusted skin.

Citrus juice pricks

open a healed slit.

I squeeze the tangerines

pressed between brass spoons

and rub the juice-

a tang of copper scent.

One whistle.

Three exhales.

I whisk the eggs.

The batter almost breaks.

Something in me breaks too.

I dream of literature.

About shikaras. About the snow.

About running away from

crockery and pickle jars.

I soak the brown rice.

And look at the mirror.

I see someone I don't know.

Pale daffodil clipped in hair.

Red bindi almost smudged.

She looks like laundry-

rumpled and creased,

her fingers still smelling

of last night's lentil soup.

---

2:10 PM - The Tangerine Smile.

Maa was a dancer.

Years before I came.

Her silver now-

tarnished in sulphide green.

She serves the stew.

'Too salty' - voices huff.

(Loud and clear)

She stops.

A gasp.

A sigh.

And eats on the ceramic-

Baba's leftovers.

She looks at me

holding the crescent rind,

offering me a handful of

savory slices.

I pull its strings and

the pulp ruptures…

as I watch the citrus juice

finally set free.

---

2:37 PM - The Peeled Rind.

The whistles hiss.

Sssh. Sssh. Sssh.

I come out of the attic-

dusty silver in my palms.

Maa gets up.

I clean the rust with

a tiny soda-sponge-

the green flaky patches

now untethered…

just like the mellow peel.

She looks at me.

And then at her album.

Baba notices the tangerine-

halved and fresh on the wood.

He glances at us…

and looks at Maa.

No silver. No smile.

Old saree. Burnt kohl.

Picking up the fruit,

he sits down to peel.

As he cuts piece by piece,

wet knife thrums-

Snip. Snip. Snip.

The tangerine's flesh falls-

like dust off the silver.

He tries to cut it-

a little clumsily,

his hands still used to

the grip of newspapers.

I sit down to write.

The dishes lie unwashed.

The laundry's still piled

in a jute basket.

---

10:37 PM - The Fruit…shared.

Maa tries to dance-

her feet smitten

by the deodar wood.

Baba tries to fix the salt.

Sometimes he adds too much.

Sometimes he doesn’t.

I sip the pink kahwa.

The whistles hiss again.

This time...

Maa doesn't get up alone.

All of us do.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a celebrated platform for writers and poets to showcase their literary talents. This esteemed competition invites participants from around the world to express their creativity and share their unique voices. With a focus on originality and depth, it provides an opportunity for emerging and established writers to gain recognition and engage with a diverse audience of literature enthusiasts.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Thejashree Gandhamaneni for sharing "Tangerines And Tea" with us. Your contribution to the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 enriches our collective appreciation of poetry's ability to touch on the intimate and universal aspects of life. We look forward to seeing more of your evocative work 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.