The Last Woman on Earth - By Angela Krueger

Written By: Angela Krueger

Category: poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Angela Krueger presents a thought-provoking piece titled "The Last Woman on Earth" in the poetry category as part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This poem dives into the complex and often controversial topic of procreation in an overpopulated world. With its introspective and questioning tone, Krueger invites readers to ponder the environmental and societal implications of bringing new life into an already crowded planet.

About the Work

"The Last Woman on Earth" by Angela Krueger challenges the societal norms surrounding procreation. Through vivid imagery and a reflective tone, the poem delves into themes of overpopulation, environmental degradation, and personal choice. Krueger raises poignant questions about the future of our planet and the motivations behind having children, prompting readers to reflect on their own beliefs and the broader impact on the world.

The Last Woman on Earth

Original Submission by Angela Krueger

The last woman on earth

Who am I to have a kid?

The earth is already overpopulated

Why does anyone procreate

To create a life

To see who

the kid will look like

Because they want a lil tyke,

a junior Tom, John, or Mike

Because birth control isn't one hundred percent effective

And condoms are notoriously unreceptive

Who has kids

Plural

And why

Like honestly who has one kid

and then says "let's give it another try"

No disrespect

I'm the second born

But when it comes to having kids

I'm not torn

Isn't one enough

in this economy

Raising a family

must be tough

The world is on fire

Don't they understand

We've been multiplying for centuries

Eventually we're gonna run out of land

It's already getting pretty crowded over here

Not to mention the rising sea levels and

fossil fuels polluting the atmosphere

What does the future hold

for the next generation

Will there even be any clay left

for them to mold

Another non-renewable resource

humankind will end up taking

by force

Will there be any earth left

by the time they grow up

Will they have children

Will the planet still be good enough

to support life

And I don't mean to be abrupt…

But I've heard you understand love

once you have a child

To that I say,

placing your understanding of love

on your kid

is wild

Like I don't know love

Or maybe I'm in denial

But I don't think it's fair

to put that on a child

I've thought about it for a while

Maybe I just don't understand

I'm small, selfish

Unwilling to give up my own demands

Or maybe everyone else's heads are in the sand

This isn't a snap decision

We don't need another Me

But on the other hand

I should want to make a kid

That's what all the women before me did

But I just don't want to

Even if I didn't have to give birth

Even if I was the last woman on earth

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform that celebrates the art of written expression. Participants from around the world are invited to submit their creative works, showcasing their unique voices and perspectives. This competition fosters a global community of writers, providing a stage for diverse literary contributions across poetry, short stories, essays, and creative writing.

Thank you, Angela Krueger, for sharing "The Last Woman on Earth" with us. Your contribution to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 offers a profound exploration of personal and environmental themes. We appreciate your insight and the opportunity to reflect on such an important topic through your poetic lens.

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.