The Silent Battle - By Carine Hartman

Written By: Carine Hartman

Category: Short Story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Carine Hartman, writing under the name Column8, presents a gripping short story titled "The Silent Battle." As part of Hashtag Kalakar's Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this piece explores the haunting reality of elder abuse within care facilities. In a narrative that resonates with both personal and universal themes, Hartman courageously delves into the struggles faced by families when confronting systemic neglect, making it a compelling entry in this year's competition.

About the Work

"The Silent Battle" is a poignant exploration of the devastating impact of elder abuse on families. Carine Hartman's narrative, rich with emotional depth, captures the heartache and injustice experienced by those who witness their loved ones suffer in silence. The story's vivid imagery and stark realism underscore the importance of advocacy and the courage needed to confront such painful truths. Hartman’s storytelling is both a personal testament and a broader commentary on the need for compassion and accountability in care facilities.

Column8

Original Submission by Carine Hartman

It takes guts to do what the Callaghan family did: lay a charge against the frail care centre that abused and starved their mother. Guts I didn’t have with mine – and I buried her within a year.

I refuse to use the word “alleged” when I read abused or starved, because that was my reality too 13 years ago.

It was a “good home”, my parents thought when they moved into their one-bedroom unit. Must be if it was, in its far-away history, named after an ex-prime minister’s wife.

But the first red flag was when Mom was moved to frail care “because she’s not all there, you know?”. I knew she still was and took on the resident social worker. But I lost that fight – two weeks later she was booked into a ward with seven other “Not There’s” with no stimulation, no conversation, not even a willing arm to hook in for a short walk. She sat in a chair next to her bed.

She lost the battle for her sanity hardly a month later. Every weekly visit I saw her first fall silent; then only smiling and then the heart-breaking “Who are you?” look.

The second red flag was a phone call to tell me my mother has been found. “She was missing?” Apparently – but the centre didn’t miss her. She late one afternoon got up out of that chair and simply walked out their front door, past the guard at the gate and down a peak-hour four-lane road. A helper at the centre spotted her on his way home and brought her back to safety.

Safety? The red flags came fast and furious. She lost weight – a lot. I realized during one visit they just plonk her food in front of her and take it away, untouched, hours later. I start timing my visits around the food tray. But a woman – nobody – can survive on one weekly good meal.

When she resembled a marabou stork, I desperately dropped off protein shakes, pleading for just one a day to be prepared for her. I found dozens of unopened tins after her death.

And her death came swiftly. She somewhere, somehow fell and it took the centre three days to realise she broke her hip. She survived the hip replacement – but not the after care.

Three weeks later we buried her. Cause of death? Septicemia. Her uncleaned wound killed her.

I should have had the guts too…

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, celebrates the power of words and creativity. This prestigious event invites participants worldwide to share their stories, poems, and essays, fostering a global community of writers. Through their submissions, writers like Carine Hartman contribute to a vibrant tapestry of voices, enriching the literary landscape with diverse perspectives and compelling narratives.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Carine Hartman for her contribution to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. "The Silent Battle" is a testament to her bravery and literary skill, shedding light on an important issue with empathy and insight. We appreciate her willingness to share such a personal story and look forward to seeing more of her work in the future.

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.