The Eyes That Lied - By Norliyana Binti Azman

Written By: Norliyana Binti Azman

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Norliyana Binti Azman presents her evocative piece, "The Eyes That Lied." This compelling entry in the Poetry category delves into themes of inner conflict, resilience, and the perpetual journey of self-discovery. The competition celebrates diverse voices from around the globe, offering a platform for creative expression and literary exploration. Norliyana's work stands as a poignant reflection on personal battles and the facade we often present to the world.

About the Work

"The Eyes That Lied" navigates the intricate landscape of human emotion and identity. Through vivid imagery and introspective narrative, Norliyana explores the contrast between external appearances and internal truths. Her poem captures the relentless push against personal limits, the struggle between mind and body, and the quiet resilience that fuels survival. The work invites readers into a deeply personal yet universally relatable experience, marked by moments of vulnerability and strength.

The Eyes That Lied

Original Submission by Norliyana Binti Azman

The Eyes That Lied

By : Norliyana Azman

There are too much to think, to much to say, too much to talk about,

But then silent hits hard, really hard, leaving me speechless.

So, I stop thinking, stop wondering, and keep my mouth shut.

Letting the day pass by, no aims, no goals, no purpose,

Just moving forward as it is,

Sometimes it is a joyful day, sometimes just another bad day,

Pushing myself to the limit that I never realizing how far I could go,

The body gives me signal, telling me this is too much,

I remember those painful days, weeks and months,

The body told me to take it easy, have a rest, calm down,

But the brain keeps telling me, you can, you still can,

Didn’t realize how far I had already dragged this soulless body through the day,

I keep on dragging, I didn’t dare to stop as I already knew what will happen next.

I still get up, not to show how strong I am,

It is just that I don’t know how to stop this madness inside myself,

I was fragile when I was young, but the world told me to keep firm,

Being force to make decision at early age, open me to an unknown world,

I follow the path as it was, then made choices which led to the spices of life,

It was scary, I had secrets that I kept for years, and buried them deep in my heart,

I carried those alone, thinking that nobody will ever understand because it was my life,

Tired, devasted, drained, didn’t realize that those been my companion for quite some time,

Along the way, I learned to grow, I broke down, I won, I lost,

Somehow, I survived.

Staring at the mirror, thinking how did I get here?

The reflection looks empty,

They said eyes don’t lie but mine did.

Bitter smile curled up on my lips as I looked over my shoulder,

I’m okay,

Totally okay,

It’s okay,

Everything is okay.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious event that brings together writers from around the world. This competition is a celebration of creativity and literary talent, providing a platform for poets and writers to showcase their work. As participants share their unique voices and perspectives, the competition fosters a global community of individuals passionate about the written word.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Norliyana Binti Azman for sharing "The Eyes That Lied" with us as part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her introspective poem offers a profound glimpse into the complexities of identity and emotion. We appreciate her contribution and look forward to witnessing her continued exploration of creative expression.

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.