The Darkness I Called Home - By Walusungu Mwale

Written By: Walusungu Mwale

Category: poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the evocative poem "The Darkness I Called Home," Walusungu Mwale takes readers on a profound journey of introspection and identity. Submitted to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this piece delves into the themes of darkness, identity, and the long search for self-understanding. Through poignant imagery and a deeply personal narrative, Mwale invites us to reflect on the shadows we all face and the quiet battles waged within.

About the Work

Walusungu Mwale's "The Darkness I Called Home" is a powerful exploration of personal struggle and the search for identity. The poem is steeped in a rich tapestry of emotions, employing stark imagery and a reflective tone to convey the challenges of living with darkness as a constant companion. It addresses themes of self-deception, loneliness, and the bittersweet comfort found in familiar pain, encouraging readers to ponder their own inner conflicts.

The darkness I called home.. By Walusungu Mwale

Original Submission by Walusungu Mwale

THE DARKNESS I CALLED HOME

It was dark.

Cold.

Lonely.

And after so long,

I finally looked into the mirror

and saw exactly what the darkness

had been trying to show me.

A hollow, empty space

where my heart should have been.

A grey figure stood before me,

wearing my face,

wearing my eyes,

wearing the expression

I had spent years convincing everyone

was mine.

It tried to convince me

that I was looking at myself.

At who I claimed to be.

But deep down,

I knew better.

That wasn't me.

Or maybe it was.

Because, frankly,

I've been living a lie for so long

that I can no longer remember

where the lie ends

and I begin.

And I can't tell anyone.

How could I?

They don't know.

They don't know

that all I've ever been trying to do

is stay alive.

Hell,

they don't even see the fight.

They don't see how every morning

I drag myself out of the darkness

only to spend the rest of the day

pretending I was never there.

They don't see

how exhausted I am

from constantly trying to survive

a life that keeps asking me

to prove that I deserve to live it.

They don't see the scars

left behind by all the things

I was willing to lose

just to feel like I had won something.

I kept searching.

Endlessly.

For a reward

that was never meant to be mine.

And all the while,

I kept running out of time.

I fought so hard

to be seen in the light.

To be someone bright.

Someone worth noticing.

Someone worth remembering.

I wanted everyone

to look at me

and see something beautiful.

But naive and foolish as I was,

I never realized

that through all this madness,

I had become my own enemy.

Because every time

I found a way out,

I was the one

who dragged myself back in.

Back into the darkness.

The same darkness

my soul had spent so long

begging to escape.

And perhaps that was the cruelest part.

Realizing that

I had spent so many years

fighting the darkness,

only to discover

that somewhere along the way,

I had learned

to call it home.

So when I finally understood,

the little girl inside me—

the one who had spent so long

waiting to be seen,

waiting to be heard,

waiting for someone

to notice that she was hurting—

she stopped fighting.

She crawled into bed,

pulled the darkness over herself,

and locked the door

to her room.

And for the first time,

she didn't ask

to be found.

By Walusungu Mwale

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates the art of storytelling and poetic expression. It brings together writers and poets from around the globe, showcasing diverse voices and perspectives. This prestigious platform is dedicated to nurturing creativity and providing a stage for both emerging and established writers to share their work with a wider audience.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Walusungu Mwale for sharing "The Darkness I Called Home" with us in this year's competition. Your introspective and candid writing has made a significant impact, offering readers a glimpse into the profound depths of human emotion. We appreciate your participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 and look forward to seeing more of your thought-provoking 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.