The Contents - By Norliyana binti Azman

Written By: Norliyana binti Azman

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the poetic offering "The Contents," Norliyana binti Azman delves into the complexities of modern digital existence. As a participant in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Norliyana's work captures the often overwhelming symbiosis between human emotion and technology. Her reflective narrative examines the intersection of digital content and personal introspection, inviting readers to ponder their own relationships with the virtual world.

About the Work

"The Contents" explores the theme of digital entanglement, where the protagonist's emotional journey is intertwined with the relentless stream of online media. Through a vivid portrayal of scrolling, reflection, and existential questioning, Norliyana crafts a narrative that resonates with the contemporary experience of finding solace and identity within digital spaces. Her use of imagery and introspective mood captures the tension between reality and virtual escapism.

The Contents

Original Submission by Norliyana binti Azman

The Contents

By Norliyana binti Azman

She lay down on the hard grey sofa,

Holding her phone, scrolling and scrolling,

Her mind was blank, too free to think,

She kept scrolling, her thumb moving up and down,

The contents became more and more relatable,

She paused, sometimes to read, sometimes to listen.

The flashbacks suddenly entered her free mind,

Her chest tightened, and it became hard to breathe,

She sat up, but her thumb seemed fixed in motion,

It kept moving in the same way it had seven minutes ago,

She switched to another app,

The same things appeared over and over again.

Was the phone able to read her heart?

Or had she used it so much that its contents had become her thoughts?

Was the phone listening to her inner thoughts?

How did it discover so much about her innermost thoughts?

But was it wrong, though?

She stared at the screen again and again.

She kept thinking over and over again,

Did too many reality checks make her numb to certain things?

Or did the harsh reality make her want to escape it badly?

She paused for a moment and switched apps again,

That music and those quotes seemed to find her again,

She put the phone down and pondered as she stared at the walls.

There was a hole inside her heart,

Maybe that was why she experienced so many coincidences,

She didn’t know how to fix them,

Unconsciously, she filled the hole with the contents,

Sometimes they made her smile, laugh and cry,

But somehow, they were a band-aid over the hole.

She did find comfort in that content,

Even though it was temporary, it was better than nothing for her.

One thing she feared the most was this:

Would they make her lose herself?

Did she need to lose them to find herself again?

She couldn’t remember who she was before.

The algorithm had finally tailored itself to her,

She should have felt more at ease and stronger,

But she was afraid that if she got too strong,

She would lose him.

He was there, always by her side,

But the virtual distance was slowly driving them apart.

She wanted to tell him, but she already knew what would happen,

Sometimes she thought she deserved the treatment,

But sometimes it was too hard for her to swallow.

So, she circled back to the content,

At least they made her feel full for a while,

She picked up the phone and started all over again.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, presented by Hashtag Kalakar, is a prestigious platform for writers to showcase their literary talents. It embraces a wide range of creative voices and styles, encouraging participants to explore and express their unique perspectives through poetry, short stories, and essays.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Norliyana binti Azman for her evocative contribution, "The Contents," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her exploration of digital life and personal reflection offers a compelling narrative that resonates with many. We look forward to seeing more of her insightful 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.