The Kindness of Strangulation - By chloe.daniella.lubbe

Written By: chloe.daniella.lubbe

Category: poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the compelling entry "The Kindness of Strangulation," Chloe Daniella Lubbe offers her poetic voice to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her work, a profound piece of poetry, delves into the complex emotions surrounding mental health and personal introspection. Through her vivid imagery and poignant language, Lubbe brings to life a narrative that resonates deeply with readers, reflecting on themes of confinement, love, and healing within a structured environment.

About the Work

Chloe Daniella Lubbe's "The Kindness of Strangulation" is a haunting exploration of the suffocating yet paradoxically tender confines of care and control. Her style weaves metaphors of imprisonment and loss of autonomy within the stark reality of a clinical setting. The poem's mood oscillates between despair and longing for freedom, capturing the struggle for self amidst enforced healing. Through her evocative imagery, Lubbe challenges the notion of saving and the nuanced pain wrapped in the guise of love and care.

The Kindness of Strangulation

Original Submission by chloe.daniella.lubbe

The Kindness of Strangulation

They've locked the windows

I can't taste the sky

the glass has turned to sugar

warping the world

into something soft

untouchable.

mother sits vigil

clipboard of medications,

love measured

in milligrams and monitored swallows,

pills tiny tombstones

for the self I used to be.

My books are gone-

too many metaphors about flight,

my shoelaces-

too much like surrender ropes,

even the batteries from my clock

lest I swallow time whole

to stop its ticking.

They don't understand-

every we're doing this because we love you

is another brick

in this beautiful mausoleum,

every precaution

another chain

keeping me tethered

to a shore of broken glass.

The psych ward awaits

with its pastel walls

silence,

where they'll teach me

to stitch my wounds

with obedient smiles

and call it healing.

(We never talk about

how saving someone

can feel like watching yourself

being skinned alive

with all the anesthesia

given to the spectators.)

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates diverse voices from around the world, inviting participants to share their unique perspectives and literary talents. This esteemed platform offers a space for writers and poets to explore a multitude of themes, fostering a global dialogue through the power of creative expression. The competition prides itself on showcasing innovative works that push the boundaries of conventional storytelling and poetic expression.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Chloe Daniella Lubbe for sharing "The Kindness of Strangulation" with the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her contribution adds a powerful voice to the dialogue on mental health and healing. We are grateful for the introspection and emotional depth her poem brings to the competition, and we look forward to seeing more of her creative journey.

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.