The Throne That Never Faced the People - By Shivaanshi Patidar

Written By: Shivaanshi Patidar

Category: Poetry

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In her evocative poem, "The Throne That Never Faced the People," Shivaanshi Patidar offers a poignant reflection on leadership and its disconnect from the populace. As part of the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this powerful piece falls under the poetry category, inviting readers to contemplate the enduring themes of power, governance, and societal change.

About the Work

Shivaanshi Patidar's poem captures the timeless struggle between those who hold power and the voices of the people they govern. With rich imagery and a reflective tone, the piece explores the stationary nature of authority and its often one-sided perspective. The throne, as the central metaphor, symbolizes the unyielding direction of power, challenging the reader to question the inherent dynamics of leadership and its impact on society.

The Throne That Never Faced the People

Original Submission by Shivaanshi Patidar

The Throne That Never Faced the People

I was carved

from the oldest tree

in the kingdom.

The craftsmen

ran their hands

along my grain

as though they were shaping

certainty itself.

They covered me

in gold.

Pressed history

into my arms.

Called me

the seat

of power.

No one asked me

which way

I wished to face.

So they turned me

toward the palace.

Toward marble halls.

Toward polished floors.

Toward ministers

whose voices echoed

more than they listened.

And there

I remained.

Kings came first.

They sat upon me

with crowns

too heavy

for their necks,

speaking often

of sacrifice

while servants

carried the weight

instead.

Years passed.

The crowns changed.

The flags changed.

The anthems

found new melodies.

Even the names

of the rulers

became different.

But each one

settled into me

with the same certainty-

believing

they could see

an entire nation

from a single room.

Sometimes,

a petition

would reach the palace.

Ink still wet

with urgency.

A farmer

asking for rain

that no law

could summon.

A mother

asking why

her son

had become

a statistic.

A child

drawing a school

with windows

larger than the ones

they had ever known.

The papers

were read.

Discussed.

Filed.

Outside,

the seasons

continued

without permission.

I heard

the people,

though I never

saw them.

Their footsteps

rose through

the stone floors.

Their laughter

arrived

before festivals.

Their silence

always came

before famine.

It puzzled me

how those

who sat upon me

could hear only

applause.

One ruler,

long after

the others,

placed a hand

upon my arm

and whispered,

"I have given

them everything."

I wished

I could have turned,

just once,

so he might see

the roads

that ended

before the villages,

the bridges

that reached

only halfway,

the lamps

that illuminated

monuments

while homes

learned

the language

of darkness.

But thrones

are not given

the luxury

of movement.

We carry power.

We do not

direct it.

Centuries

have passed.

I have outlived

every promise

made upon me.

Every speech.

Every empire.

Every victory

declared complete.

Only one thing

has remained unchanged.

The direction

in which

I stand.

People often ask

whether power

changes those

who hold it.

They ask

the wrong question.

They should ask

why the seat

from which

a nation

is governed

has spent

its entire life

looking away

from the people.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates the diverse voices and creative expressions of writers from around the world. This prestigious platform provides an opportunity for participants to share their unique perspectives and literary talents, fostering a community of artistic exploration and dialogue.

We extend our gratitude to Shivaanshi Patidar for her insightful contribution, "The Throne That Never Faced the People," to the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her thought-provoking exploration of power and leadership offers readers a chance to reflect on the broader implications of governance.

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.