The Haunting - By Taanirika Sharma

Written By: Taanirika Sharma

Category: Poetry

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the evocative world of poetry, Taanirika Sharma presents "The Haunting," a stirring piece featured in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar. This competition, renowned for its celebration of creative expression, provides a platform for voices like Taanirika's to resonate powerfully. "The Haunting" delves into themes of guilt, memory, and the lingering presence of the past, inviting readers to explore the shadows of their own conscience.

About the Work

"The Haunting" is a profound exploration of remorse and the inescapable grip of the past. Taanirika Sharma crafts a vivid narrative filled with haunting imagery and emotional depth. The poem's somber tone and rich symbolism capture the essence of a ghostly presence that is as much internal as it is external. Through its eloquent language and vivid imagery, the poem invites readers to confront their own inner specters.

The Haunting

Original Submission by Taanirika Sharma

THE HAUNTING

No sound of footsteps,

like an unheard cacophony,

while I sleep it enters through the window-

the ghost that haunts me.

I always leave a chair or two

where she sits and stares

with longing in her eyes as if

the past still lingers there.

Yes, I am afraid of her;

afraid of her questioning stares.

I was the one who murdered her

and it’s hers, the clothes that I wear.

But not today, I say

as I stare at her too,

I’m the one who she despise

yet her eyes had to lose

when they met my agony filled eyes,

she grabs me by the throat,

imitating what I did the night that I killed her,

she drags me through the silent house,

each room still echoing screams of her.

Each room had our memories,

the promises that we made,

“I’ll always keep you alive”, I said,

now it’s her blood through which I wade.

I killed her, Oh god!

She was ‘Someone’, unlike me,

guilt fills my lungs as air escapes,

there’s no time to ask for a plea.

Like an unheard cacophony she smiles,

her killer lays dead on the bloodstained floor.

She leaves forever- her work is done,

the ghost of my past haunts me no more.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a distinguished event that celebrates the art of writing. It offers a platform for poets and writers to showcase their talent and creativity, encouraging a diverse range of voices to share their unique perspectives. Participants engage in a rich tapestry of storytelling and poetic expression, contributing to a vibrant literary community.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Taanirika Sharma for sharing "The Haunting" with us in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your poignant exploration of memory and remorse resonates deeply, offering readers an introspective journey. Thank you, Taanirika, for your contribution to this celebration of literary art.

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.