The Last Hug in the Narmada River - By Suhani Rastogi

Written By: Suhani Rastogi

Category: Poetry

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the poignant poem "The Last Hug in the Narmada River," Suhani Rastogi delves into themes of survival and maternal love. Her work is a heartfelt contribution to the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Through her evocative imagery and emotional depth, Suhani captures a moment of profound connection between a mother and her child amidst the tumultuous forces of nature.

About the Work

Suhani Rastogi's poem is a moving exploration of the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child. The narrative unfolds in the turbulent waters of the Narmada River, where a mother fights against the elements to protect her child. The poem's vivid imagery and emotional intensity convey the raw struggle and the deep love that binds them.

The Last Hug in the Narmada River

Original Submission by Suhani Rastogi

The Last Hug in the Narmada River

The sky over Bargi turned dark without warning

a sudden thunder and grey sky.

The summer air turned cold and sharp.

The water, which was once like a quiet mirror,

became a hungry mouth of waves.

The boat turned upside down in the wind,

making it hard to even breathe.

There was nothing left but the deep, cold water.

No ground,

No direction,

They held each other by a single life jacket,

one small strap for two lives.

The math allowed one, she held two.

She locked her child inside the cage of her arms,

making her skin a second shield for her four year old child,

stronger than any foam and plastic buckle.

The storm screamed, trying to pull them apart.

Survival whispered a way to the land,

a path for one, but never for two.

She did not hear it.

She only heard the pulse of her son,

more precious than her breath.

The wind threw the water like stones against her face.

She could not see the lights of Jabalpur,

she could not see the hand of God,

but she felt the heartbeat of her son

knocking against her own chest

two small hearts trying to beat as one.

This was the final hold, the long longing.

The waves were like mountains they had to climb,

over and over, gasping for a little bit of air.

The storm tried to tear them into two,

but she held like armor for her son.

In that water, they were a single soul.

Let the wind roar.

Let the river be strong.

Even then, you cannot break this knot.

They are not drowning,

they are becoming a sacred

monument that the storm can never break.

When their hearts finally stopped, the storm grew quiet.

The wind slowed down, ashamed of its anger.

And seeing them still locked together,

even the sky began to cry.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating creativity and literary talent. It invites participants from around the world to showcase their poetic and creative skills, providing a space for diverse voices and stories to be heard.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Suhani Rastogi for her powerful contribution, "The Last Hug in the Narmada River," to the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her evocative portrayal of love and survival leaves a lasting impression, and we are grateful for her participation.

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.