The door - By Walusungu Mwale

Written By: Walusungu Mwale

Category: Poem

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the evocative poem "The door," Walusungu Mwale delves into the complexities of loyalty and longing. As a participant in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Walusungu brings to life the emotional tapestry of devotion and the heartache of unreciprocated love. This piece sits within the realm of poetry, a category that allows for the exploration of deep emotions and personal introspection.

About the Work

"The door" by Walusungu Mwale is a poignant reflection on the nature of loyalty and the pain of waiting for someone who never arrives. The poem uses vivid imagery and the metaphor of a loyal dog to explore themes of devotion, longing, and eventual self-realization. The melancholic mood is underscored by a powerful narrative that conveys the sadness of unrequited effort and emotional neglect.

The door

Original Submission by Walusungu Mwale

The Door

Other people call themselves birds

because they always find their way back

to the same person,

no matter how many times they are made to leave.

But I think I am more of a dog.

Because just like a dog,

I stayed loyal to you—

for all the years of sacrifice you gave me,

even when, perhaps, you had to.

Just like a dog,

I came to you over and over again

whenever you called,

because I had been taught that I had to.

And just like a dog,

I sat patiently by the door every day,

waiting for you to walk through it.

I imagined you coming home.

Happy.

Excited to see me.

Excited to finally see me.

But you never came.

Instead, you gave me excuse after excuse

for why you couldn't come,

reason after reason

for why you couldn't make time for me,

as though allowing yourself to be in my life

was some great burden you had to carry.

So I waited.

I stayed awake through countless nights,

listening to the silence,

waiting for anything from you—

a text,

a call,

a message of some sort,

anything that could tell me

I had crossed your mind.

But nothing came.

And year after year,

through endless disappointments,

I finally accepted what I had spent so long

trying not to understand.

I pulled away from you.

Not because I stopped caring,

but because I finally realized

that in this maze of life,

I was the only one searching.

I was the only one wandering through the corridors,

calling your name,

looking behind every door,

hoping that eventually

I would find you waiting for me.

But you were never searching.

You simply sat at the end,

waiting to be found.

No consideration.

No longing.

No reaching.

No wanting to be with me.

Nothing.

Just a cold, empty place

where you had always been sitting,

dusty and ruined

from years of neglect,

years of absence,

years of me coming back

to a door

you never intended to open.

And perhaps that is the saddest thing about loyalty—

sometimes,

you can spend so long waiting at someone's door

that you forget

you were never meant to live outside it.

By Walusungu Mwale

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating the power of the written word. This competition invites writers and poets from around the world to share their unique voices and stories, fostering a global community of creative expression. It is a celebration of creativity, talent, and the transformative power of storytelling.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Walusungu Mwale for sharing "The door" with us as part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your contribution adds depth and emotion to the rich tapestry of voices in this year's competition. Thank you for your dedication to the craft of poetry and for inviting us into your world of reflection and emotion.

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.