The Reign of Rain - By Shirley Philip

Written By: Shirley Philip

Category: POETRY

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Shirley Philip offers us "The Reign of Rain," a poignant entry in the Poetry category. This piece beautifully encapsulates the relentless power and persistence of the monsoon. Through vivid imagery and rhythmic verse, Shirley invites readers to experience the overwhelming presence of rain as it transforms landscapes and lives. Her work stands as a testament to the evocative power of poetry to capture the essence of nature's might.

About the Work

"The Reign of Rain" immerses readers in the vivid and oppressive atmosphere of a relentless monsoon. Through its rhythmic structure and evocative imagery, the poem paints a picture of nature's overwhelming force, transforming everyday scenes into a dream-like wet landscape. Themes of nature's dominance and the human struggle against its unyielding power are woven throughout, creating a somber yet captivating narrative.

THE REIGN OF RAIN

Original Submission by Shirley Philip

The Reign of Rain

Rain thrums on rooftops day and night

A silver siege without respite

Wells brim up to their mossy lips

While roads dissolve in water’s grip

Sidewalks vanish, lost to floods

Yard tiles slick with creeping moss

Homesteads lie drowning, leaf-deep seas

Where jackfruits fall from sodden trees

Cracked and oozing, in rancid heaps

Flies buzzing in swarming press

Nutmegs drop with muffled sound

Soft and ripe upon the ground

Walls wear mildew like old scars

Gutters gurgle with choking flood

Clothes hang like ghosts, never dry

The air is thick with damp and must

Pots fester with rain and rotting roots

A garden gone to soggy shoots

Grass grows wild, past knee and eye

Like nature’s green and rising cry

Umbrellas bloom like dark bouquets

Yet fail to ward off drenching sprays

Raincoats cling like second skin

As water weaves its way within

Potholes gape like open wounds

Cars lurch, then stall in watery tombs

Traffic snarls in splashing dread

Pedestrians soaked from toe to head

Crows sit mute in feathered gloom

Even they seem to sense the doom

No sun, no pause, no golden beam

Just a long, grey, dripping dream

Water, water, everywhere –

In every breath and weary sigh

And still it pours, relentless sky

Monsoon’s breath – a long, wet lament

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates diverse voices in poetry and creative writing. Aimed at fostering creativity and literary expression, the competition invites participants worldwide to share their unique narratives and insights. It stands as a prestigious platform for writers to showcase their talent and connect with a broader audience.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Shirley Philip for her contribution to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 with her evocative poem "The Reign of Rain." Her depiction of the monsoon's relentless power offers readers a profound insight into the interplay between nature and humanity. We appreciate her participation and look forward to more of her literary creations.

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.