The Girl - By NUR ALYAA ATIKAH

Written By: NUR ALYAA ATIKAH

Category: POETRY

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the realm of poetic expression, NUR ALYAA ATIKAH emerges with her piece titled "The Girl," an evocative entry in the Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her work delves into the complexities of human relationships, examining the interplay of kindness and betrayal. This competition serves as a platform for creative voices worldwide to share their unique perspectives through the art of poetry and creative writing.

About the Work

"The Girl" poignantly captures the emotional turmoil of a young girl who faces the harsh realities of betrayal by those she considered friends. Through vivid imagery and introspective narrative, NUR ALYAA ATIKAH explores themes of jealousy and resilience. The poem's tone is both reflective and hopeful, illustrating the protagonist's journey towards forgiveness and personal growth amidst adversity.

The Girl

Original Submission by NUR ALYAA ATIKAH

The Girl

There stand this girl,

Who you and I know,

So does a lot of people,

Many asked,

Be it boys or girls,

All the how's, what's and why’s

About her.

This girl I'm about to tell you,

A sweet, young girl,

Who treats people with kindness,

Who welcomes everyone with an open heart and arms,

Who's friendly and helpful to everyone,

Well, let me tell you,

She can be said,

As the talk of the town,

Wherever she goes.

Whenever she stands in the crowd,

She receives the spotlight,

But little did she know,

The people whom she called friends,

Have a darker side of perceiving her.

She didn't know that these so-called friends of hers,

Are taking advantage of her,

Using her kindness for themselves,

Using her as their human shield,

But worse of all,

Using and treating her,

As if she’s a band aid,

Who they only see when they need it.

Some of you might wonder,

How could they have the heart to treat her such way,

After everything she's done for them?

The answer is simple, really,

The raging jealousy of them towards her,

The popularity that she gains from others,

The attention that they crave from the people surrounding her,

Especially from a certain group of people,

Has turned them into jealousy monsters.

So they see,

If they can't have,

The popularity,

The spotlight,

The attention from those they want to obtain,

They are going to annihilate her,

Slowly.

And so,

They planned and waited for the right moment to attack,

Yes, you guessed it right, my friend!

They launched the attack on her.

She always thought,

Maybe she's just not a good friend,

Maybe she was too blunt,

That her friends couldn't bear to hear those direct yet truthful statements,

Maybe she wasn't that friend who keeps up with the trends,

Be it fashion, gossips and many more,

Or perhaps,

Maybe it's because she spent less time with that close friends of hers,

That they, her friends chose to distance themselves from her.

On that day,

There she was,

Looking at her friends,

Choosing those other girls,

Whom they considered “their true friends”,

Whom they see them as their “equal parts” and “besties for life”,

Whom they feel “belonged”.

She tried fighting for the friendship,

She tried showing them that,

She can be that “good friend”,

She tried “sugar coating”,

As a way not to offend them,

She tried keeping up with the trends,

She tried everything to be as equal as they are and that “bestie”,

But now she sees,

They have made up their minds.

At one point,

She decided to leave them,

She thought,

Maybe it's for the best,

If they’re happy,

She’s happy for them as well,

And she wishes nothing,

Except the best for them.

My dear self,

Though you can't return to the past,

Though you can't remove those hurtful memories,

Though you can't seal those wounds and scars,

You are blessed to meet these people,

For they have taught you,

The good,

The bad,

And the ugly.

But never forget,

To remind yourself,

To forgive those who hurt you,

To treat people with love, compassionate and kindness,

For these values,

Have their way in coming back to you,

In the present,

And,

Future.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates the artistry of wordsmiths from around the globe. Participants are invited to present their literary creations, fostering a diverse tapestry of voices and stories. This esteemed competition offers a platform for both emerging and established writers to showcase their talents and connect with a global audience.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to NUR ALYAA ATIKAH for sharing "The Girl" with us in this year's competition. Your insightful exploration of friendship and personal strength resonates deeply, and we are honored to feature your work. We look forward to seeing how your poetic journey continues to unfold.

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.