The Human Curse - By Angela Krueger

Written By: Angela Krueger

Category: poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In her poignant poem, "The Human Curse," Angela Krueger embarks on a profound exploration of human existence, superiority, and our relationship with nature. As an entry in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this piece invites readers to reflect on the existential questions that define humanity. Through vivid imagery and introspective musings, Angela's work challenges our understanding of life and the impact of our actions on the planet.

About the Work

"The Human Curse" delves into the philosophical inquiries surrounding human consciousness and our perceived superiority over other living beings. Angela Krueger masterfully intertwines themes of life, death, and the afterlife, questioning the meaning we assign to our existence. Her use of evocative imagery paints a vivid picture of nature's resilience amidst human destruction, urging readers to rethink their role within the natural world.

The Human Curse

Original Submission by Angela Krueger

The human curse

What gives us this sense of superiority

What makes us different from all living things

Just because we have the capacity

to know we live and we die

It's not something we can deny

But what happens at the end of our lives

Do our souls leave our bodies

and head to heaven in the sky

Or maybe when our spirits are done

they reincarnate and find a new body to try

Or maybe they just fly

through the universe

to experience the moon, stars, and sun

To see the earth from above

To be one with time and space and

explore the entire solar system

What if we die and they bury us in the ground

Under the grass, flowers, trees, dead leaves

and nothing is profound

We'd become fertilizer

But we're dead

so we'd be none the wiser

The circle of life is round

But if no one is here to call it a shape

Would mother nature still get the gist

If no one was here to count the days

time would cease to exist

But in a world without humankind

life would still persist

Maybe life only has meaning

because we assigned it one

We are just living things

with emotions, fears, hopes, dreams,

an ability to make memes

when all is said and done

We can't prove

other living beings don't feel this way

If nature could speak what would it say

We only know ourselves at the end of the day

But who's to say

our lives are more meaningful, more important

than the birds and the bees

the fish in the seas

the flowers and their seeds

the trees with their leaves

Everything in nature lives and dies

You know

Humans are a part of nature

The afterlife might just be lies

Because unfortunately

I think we're too smart

to accept

that this is all we get

Maybe being self aware is humankind's biggest regret

You know, aside from all the damage we've caused

and the parts of the earth we’ve wrecked

What makes you think we're better

than other living things

We're not

We're worse

We're destroying the planet

with the human curse

because we know we can't live forever

And I hate to say it

but is this our evil plan

If we can't keep it

No one can

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a renowned platform celebrating the art of words. It brings together voices from around the globe to share their unique perspectives through poetry, short stories, and creative writing. Participants engage with diverse themes, fostering a community of creativity and literary excellence.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Angela Krueger for her thought-provoking contribution, "The Human Curse," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her exploration of humanity's existential dilemmas encourages us all to reflect on our place within the world and the legacy we leave behind.

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.