The Rain Stole My Tears - By Lasea van Niekerk

Written By: Lasea van Niekerk

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Lasea van Niekerk presents "The Rain Stole My Tears," a compelling piece in the poetry category. This evocative poem explores the delicate interplay between nature and human emotion, capturing the essence of loss and the struggle to hold onto grief. Lasea's work takes readers on an introspective journey, evoking powerful imagery and deep sentiment.

About the Work

"The Rain Stole My Tears" delves into themes of nature's relentless force and its impact on personal sorrow. The poem's mood is somber, with a lyrical style that weaves vivid imagery of rain and its cleansing yet intrusive nature. Through its poignant verses, it questions the erasure of pain and the desire to preserve one's emotional truth amidst nature's indifference.

The rain stole my tears

Original Submission by Lasea van Niekerk

The Rain Stole My Tears

The rain starts to lead with frozen hands,

and pulls me where I do not choose.

It calls it dancing, calls it grace,

while all I feel is something lose.

I sway because it leaves no choice,

not because I have none to lose.

The rain falls hard against my face,

its cold hands wiping every trace.

It washes clean what should remain,

the proof I ever knew this pain.

Each tear I earned is swept away,

before it has the chance to stay.

I despise it.

It steals the salt from off my skin,

before my sorrow can be seen.

It scrubs away my swollen eyes,

until they look almost serene.

As if my grief was never real,

as if I never bled between.

So I keep dancing through the storm,

a puppet pulled by wind and rain.

The wind commands my weary feet,

the rain erases every stain.

One makes me move against my will,

the other steals what should remain.

If I must break, then let me break.

Don’t rinse me clean before I’m through.

Don’t rob me of the tears I’ve cried,

they’re all that’s left to prove they’re true.

The cruelest part was never pain…

The rain stole my tears, too.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar showcases diverse voices in literature and poetry from around the world. This prestigious event invites participants to submit their creative works, celebrating the power of words and the unique perspectives they bring to life. It is a platform where creativity and expression find their rightful place.

Thank you, Lasea van Niekerk, for sharing "The Rain Stole My Tears" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your poem's haunting beauty and emotional depth resonate with readers, offering a profound reflection on the interplay between personal grief and nature's forces. We appreciate your contribution to this literary celebration.

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.