The Mirrors Were Softer Then - By Maisha Khan

Written By: Maisha Khan

Category: Poetry

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In her poignant poem "The Mirrors Were Softer Then," Maisha Khan brings forth a delicate exploration of nostalgia and self-reflection. As part of the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Khan's work delves into the transformation of self-perception over time. Her evocative writing invites readers into a world where the past and present collide, revealing the tender shifts in personal identity and memory.

About the Work

Maisha Khan's poem is rich with imagery and emotion, capturing the essence of youthful innocence contrasted with the harsh realities of adulthood. The work's lyrical style and vivid descriptions create a sense of longing for a time when life was simpler and more genuine. Through her masterful use of language, Khan paints a picture of a world where mirrors once offered warmth and comfort, now replaced by the sharpness of self-doubt.

The Mirrors Were Softer Then

Original Submission by Maisha Khan

The mirrors were softer then,

their glass was warm, their silver glowed.

they cupped my face like porcelain rain,

and let the child inside still show.

Once, I wore the sun without SPF or suspicion,

my hair a banner for the wind’s applause,

my knees grass-stained with revolution,

my skin unspooled without a cost.

I did not fold my smile small,

did not rehearse how wrists should rest,

my shadow wandered wide on walls,

untrained, untempered, unpossessed.

But now the morning sharpens

its scalpel-light, its glassy gaze,

each line a ledger, tallying

the wrongs my body dares to raise.

My midnight mask,

My forgetting skin,

I thread my hunger through the clasp

of dresses stitched to hold me in.

Even the rain feels counterfeit,

a staged applause, a muted scene,

I stand inside the frame of it,

but nothing’s wild as it has been.

I scroll through photos, skin on fire,

her hair unbrushed, her teeth unplanned,

her joy the kind you can’t acquire,

her beauty never second-hand.

My eyes now tilt for safer light,

my mouth rehearses “funnier” lines.

I cage the girl who once took flight,

and keep her ghost in curated confines.

And still, I swear the glass remembers,

its silver aches, its angles lean,

but every time my hands surrender,

it cuts me back to what’s unseen.

The mirrors were softer then,

their glass was warm, their silver slow,

they cupped my face like porcelain rain,

and let the child inside still show.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a celebrated event showcasing diverse voices from around the world. This competition invites poets and writers to share their unique perspectives and creativity, promoting the art of storytelling and poetic expression. Participants engage with a global audience, contributing to a vibrant tapestry of contemporary literature.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Maisha Khan for sharing her profound poem, "The Mirrors Were Softer Then," with us. Her participation in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 enriches the literary landscape with her insightful exploration of self and memory. We look forward to witnessing 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.