The End - By Lei Ka Man

Written By: Lei Ka Man

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Lei Ka Man's poem "The End" is a poignant entry in the Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This work invites readers into a reflective exploration of memory and acceptance, beautifully articulated through poetic language. Lei Ka Man, with their unique voice, delves into the themes of life's inevitable transitions with grace and introspection.

About the Work

"The End" weaves a tapestry of acceptance and introspection, as it reflects on the process of losing memories and the gentle embrace of what follows. The mood is contemplative and serene, with imagery that evokes the feeling of a quiet surrender to the passage of time. This poem gracefully navigates through themes of loss and the enduring traces of love and joy, offering a warm, yet profound meditation on life's end.

The End

Original Submission by Lei Ka Man

The End

by Lei Ka Man

I do not fear the end, for I am already ending,

Already dissolving into the great forgetting.

Each day I lose a little more, a name, a face, a fact,

And I wonder if, when I have lost everything,

There will be anything left to lose. Perhaps nothing.

Perhaps I will become a pure vessel, empty and clean,

Ready to be filled again by whatever comes after.

They pity me, but I do not pity myself,

For I have known love, and I have known joy,

And even if I cannot remember them clearly,

Their trace remains, like the afterimage of a flame.

I am a man walking backward into the dark,

But the dark is not unkind, it is soft, and warm,

And I am not afraid. I am only tired,

And ready to lay down this heavy head,

And let the river of forgetting carry me home.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, celebrates the art of the written word by bringing together a diverse range of voices from around the world. This esteemed platform encourages creativity and expression through various categories, providing participants with the opportunity to share their literary talents on a global stage.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Lei Ka Man for their moving contribution, "The End," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Their work enriches the competition with its profound reflection on memory and acceptance. We look forward to witnessing more of their evocative poetry 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.