The Roses You Crushed - By Snigdha Bhowmik

Written By: Snigdha Bhowmik

Category: Poetry

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In "The Roses You Crushed," Snigdha Bhowmik delves into the intricate tapestry of love and loss. As part of the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this evocative piece explores the tender and tumultuous journey of young love. The poem captures the delicate emotions of a heart learning to navigate the complexities of affection and the inevitable heartache that often accompanies it.

About the Work

The poem is a heartfelt exploration of youthful love and the bittersweet experience of unrequited feelings. Through vivid imagery and poignant reflections, Snigdha Bhowmik captures the essence of romantic disillusionment. The work is rich with emotion, conveying a powerful message about self-worth and resilience amidst the pain of lost love.

The Roses You Crushed

Original Submission by Snigdha Bhowmik

The Roses You Crushed

by Snigdha Bhowmik

Valentine’s 2008

Flowers in a bicycle,

notes folded inside a mathematics book,

a soul tender,

a new, soft melody coming through someone's window.

A teen soul, delicate enough, still figuring itself out,

suddenly began to feel butterflies at your presence,

swooning at your compliments,

and daydreaming of spending her life with you.

Mathematics was always a subject hard to understand,

but as you started teaching me,

I started loving mathematics,

and I started loving you.

I kept deep blush roses for you inside my mathematics notebook,

and tucked an “I love you” note with them.

At first, you were surprised.

I prayed to God that you loved me back.

I waited, and suddenly, one day, you said,

“I love you too.”

And for a while,

I thought those three words

had finally given a name to all my butterflies.

That day, I was the happiest person in the world.

My love had accepted my love.

Some days, we used to meet,

exchange Valentine’s cards and chocolates.

But then she came into your life-

that drama queen,

with a pride too much for me to handle.

You said she was just a friend,

but I saw the stars in your eyes when you talked about her.

I saw the soft corner you possessed in your heart for her.

And slowly,

I began comparing myself to someone

I had never wanted to compete with.

You shattered the slowly built dreams

when you started praising her.

You did not know praising her would make me feel low.

You did not know having a soft corner for her

would make me insecure.

I gave you roses,

believing flowers could preserve a feeling.

You threw them onto the street,

and someone crushed them beneath their feet.

I remember looking at those petals

and wondering

if that was how easily

you could crush me too.

I gave you notes

with my emotions written on them.

But you would call me too emotional

and label me as immature.

I shared my dreams with you,

and you made fake promises.

You told me lies

when I asked you about that girl.

I fought with my father for you.

I quarrelled with my mother for you.

They were trying to protect

the little girl they still saw in me.

And I was trying to protect

a love I thought would protect me someday.

Whom did I defend?

Someone who labelled me immature

because I dreamt of a partner

who would give me respect, time, and attention?

Someone whose body was present with me

but whose heart was with another girl?

Someone who searched for a zero figure in me

but was blind to my selfless soul?

I released you,

and you were too happy.

You started making dreams with her.

If you were going to unlove me,

then why did you love me?

If you had to leave,

why did you come?

Well, you did good by leaving me.

Because I do not need you anymore.

Because you are not a man

who would preserve the roses I gave you

in a bottle after they dried.

You won’t understand the meaning

of the letters I write to you.

You won’t wipe my tears

and try to make me smile when I cry.

You won’t tuck gypsophila in my hair.

You won’t look into my eyes and say,

“Beautiful.”

Because you wish to have someone

with a zero figure and zero emotions.

The kind of love that is no real love,

the kind that leaves.

You said you would love me till eternity,

but eternity ended too soon.

I cried and cried

until my eyes dried.

You left my life,

and sometime from now,

I hope you will leave my memories too.

But the damage you caused to my heart

can never be healed.

But I am trying.

Trying to be healed,

to love again,

and to smile again.

And then I understood-

I was not asking for too much.

I was only asking the wrong person

for the right kind of love.

Once, I thought love was

a rose tucked inside a mathematics notebook,

an “I love you” written on folded paper,

and butterflies waiting for an answer.

Now I know

love is not merely being chosen.

It is being cherished.

And someday,

I hope someone will look at me

the way I once looked at you-

with stars in his eyes.

But this time,

he will stay.

I hope someone will arrive

to watch sunsets together,

to dance with me in the rain,

to buy me lilies and roses,

to wipe my tears when I feel low,

to share a life with me,

and make it beautiful...

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar provides a platform for writers and poets to showcase their talent and creativity. It celebrates diverse voices and stories, offering participants the opportunity to share their unique perspectives with a wider audience through this prestigious event.

We extend our gratitude to Snigdha Bhowmik for sharing "The Roses You Crushed" with us as part of the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your evocative portrayal of love and resilience has left a lasting impression. Thank you for contributing your voice and perspective to this year's competition.

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.