The Things We Never Buried - By Mukundi Ramapulana

Written By: Mukundi Ramapulana

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In a poignant entry for the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Mukundi Ramapulana presents "The Things We Never Buried," a touching poem in the Poetry category. This piece explores the intricate themes of memory, loss, and the enduring process of healing. Through evocative imagery and introspective reflection, Ramapulana delves into the depths of emotional resilience and the power of remembrance.

About the Work

"The Things We Never Buried" is a profound meditation on the enduring presence of memories and the complex nature of healing. Mukundi Ramapulana captures the subtle ways in which loss persists, painting vivid pictures of a past that is both cherished and mourned. The poem's reflective tone and evocative imagery highlight the strength found in vulnerability and the courage required to embrace life's scars as reminders of love and survival.

The things we never buried

Original Submission by Mukundi Ramapulana

The Things We Never Buried

There are things we bury when people leave.

Photographs,

letters,

messages we swear we will never read again.

But there are other things that refuse to die.

I buried your name beneath silence,

yet somehow it still blooms

in the quietest corners of my mind.

I hear it in songs

I do not mean to listen to,

in the spaces between conversations,

in the lonely hour after midnight

when the world is asleep

and memories are wide awake.

The strange thing about losing someone

is that the loss does not happen all at once.

It arrives in pieces.

A laugh that sounds almost like theirs.

A place you once walked together.

A future you imagined

that now belongs to nobody.

And suddenly,

you are grieving something

that never even happened.

I used to think healing meant forgetting.

I thought one day

I would wake up

and your absence would no longer ache.

But healing is not forgetting.

Healing is carrying the weight

without letting it break you.

It is learning that some scars

are not signs of weakness,

but proof that you survived

what was meant to destroy you.

So I no longer bury memories.

I let them rest beside me.

Not as wounds,

but as reminders.

Reminders that I loved deeply.

That I hoped fearlessly.

That even when my heart shattered, it still found the courage

to keep beating.

And perhaps that is the bravest thing of all-

Not that we learn to stop loving,

but that after every goodbye,

every broken promise,

every dream that falls apart,

we find a way

to love life again.

Even with the empty spaces.

Even with the scars.

Even with the things

we never buried.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates the art of written expression, inviting submissions from around the world in various categories. This prestigious platform fosters creativity and provides a space for writers to share their unique voices and perspectives. Through this competition, Hashtag Kalakar continues to champion the transformative power of words.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mukundi Ramapulana for sharing "The Things We Never Buried" with us as part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your evocative exploration of memory and healing resonates deeply, and we are honored to feature your work. Thank you for your contribution and for enriching our collective understanding of resilience and love.

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.