The End - By Rayan Alfaresi

Written By: rayan alfaresi

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the poignant poem "The End," Rayan Alfaresi invites readers to reflect on the passage of time and humanity's place within it. As part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Alfaresi's work resonates with a timeless theme of introspection and self-awareness. This year's competition showcases diverse voices from around the globe, offering a platform for creative expression and thoughtful dialogue. Alfaresi's contribution stands out with its reflective tone and compelling imagery.

About the Work

"The End" presents a contemplative look at the end of times, blending themes of apathy and self-reflection. Alfaresi crafts a narrative rich with imagery, from constellations of fire to the subtle irony of human behavior. The poem explores our collective consciousness and the paradox of laughter amidst impending doom, urging readers to ponder humanity's true potential and the choices that lead us here.

The End

Original Submission by rayan alfaresi

The End

Time keeps spinning.

They whisper the end is near,

And people either panic or freeze.

But I stand still,

Watching it unfold

With something that feels strangely

Like relief.

It’s not that I’ve forgotten how to breathe.

It’s that I’ve watched the world

Forget what it was meant to be.

To see what we could’ve become,

And what we willingly released.

The sky erupts in borrowed stars,

Constellations of fire, and still,

We don’t look down on what our hearts

Had led us to be.

We laugh too loudly,

Make jokes sharp enough

To cut through fear,

Pretend the sky isn’t thinning.

But they said it before:

The end is near.

They swear love outweighs hate,

As if words alone could tip the scale.

But just look closer,

The fractions are crystal clear.

We are busy resenting

Instead of repenting.

Pointing fingers at sinners,

While feeding the faults that live within us.

Busy pretending

The inevitable is negotiable.

I’ve seen enough to know this isn’t sudden.

The end does not arrive in flames;

It begins in souls too distracted to look upward.

Things will never be

What they were meant to be,

Not while we silence our conscience

And celebrate the noise.

Not while we defend our sins

More fiercely than our souls.

And as frightening as it sounds,

Deep down,

Beneath the laughter,

Beneath the arguments,

Beneath the pretending,

We all feel it.

The end is near.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating the art of storytelling and poetic expression. The competition is open to writers worldwide, fostering a community of creativity and intellectual exchange. Participants are given the opportunity to share their unique perspectives, contributing to a vibrant tapestry of global narratives and poetic voices.

We extend our gratitude to Rayan Alfaresi for sharing "The End" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your thoughtful exploration of humanity and time resonates deeply, encouraging readers to pause and reflect. Thank you for enriching the competition with your evocative words and introspective vision.

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.