The Color That Stayed - By Warisha Vakeel

Written By: Warisha Vakeel

Category: Poetry

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In "The Color That Stayed," Warisha Vakeel offers a compelling exploration of diversity and identity through the lens of poetry. As part of the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, this piece invites readers to reflect on the beauty and strength found in every shade of humanity. With eloquence and depth, the poem challenges conventional narratives about color and celebrates the resilience inherent in diversity.

About the Work

Warisha Vakeel's poem is a meditation on color, identity, and the unspoken beauty that exists in between the extremes. The imagery is vivid, painting a picture of the world where every hue is celebrated. The tone is both reflective and empowering, urging readers to embrace their unique identities. Through its lyrical style, the poem conveys a message of inclusivity and courage, reminding us that every color holds its own story and strength.

Poem: colour that stayed

Original Submission by Warisha Vakeel

The Color That Stayed

They said the sun loved golden

skin,

And the moonlight kissed the pale.

But no one spoke of shades in between

That weathered storm & hail.

They praised the ones the light

adored,

The ones the stars would show,

But forgot the tones that held

the warmth,

Where quiet fires glow.

Your skin, it tells a thousand

years of kingdom built of buried tears.

It carried dust & diamond both,

The weight of love, the weight of

oaths.

They say light conquers all the dark,

But darkness makes the light its spark.

Without the night, the stars

would fall,

And silence would consume it all.

So wear your color like the sky,

When dusk & dawn collide -

Where every shade the world denied

Still burns, unshamed, inside.

Because the earth was never white

or black,

It was the soil - soft, deep, & brave.

And every heart that’s ever

cracked,

It made of the color that stayed.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious event celebrating creativity and expression. It provides a platform for writers and poets from diverse backgrounds to showcase their talents. The competition emphasizes the power of words to inspire and connect, fostering a community of artists dedicated to pushing the boundaries of contemporary literature.

Thank you, Warisha Vakeel, for sharing "The Color That Stayed" with us. Your contribution to the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 enriches the dialogue around identity and resilience. We are grateful for the insight and beauty your words bring to this celebration of creativity.

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.