The Unsaid and Unseen - By Aneetha Johannes

Written By: Aneetha Johannes

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Aneetha Johannes presents "The Unsaid and Unseen," a profound piece in the Poetry category. This evocative work captures the internal battles that individuals often face in silence. Johannes' poetry invites readers to reflect on the theme of unexpressed emotions and the courage it takes to bear them quietly, resonating deeply with those who have felt unseen in their vulnerability.

About the Work

"The Unsaid and Unseen" is a poignant exploration of the unseen emotional burdens that many carry. Aneetha Johannes crafts a narrative that delves into the themes of grief, loneliness, and the societal expectations of strength. Her use of vivid imagery and tender yet powerful language highlights the silent struggles that often go unnoticed. Through this work, Johannes sheds light on the quiet fortitude required to navigate a world that often overlooks genuine vulnerability.

The Unsaid and Unseen

Original Submission by Aneetha Johannes

The Unsaid and Unseen

They told her that she’s “overreacting”,

As if grief was something only strong people were allowed to carry,

As if tears only belonged to those with ‘soft faces’…

They said that tenderness was weakness,

That silence was courage,

That suffering in the unseen was somehow, noble.

So, she learnt to bury every single wound alive…

She swallowed heartbreak, like rusted nails,

Let disappointment settle beneath her skin,

Smiled with lips that had forgotten what joy really was,

Laughed, while something inside her slowly started to disappear.

And when she whispered, “I’m exhausted”,

They called her “lazy”…

When she admitted that she felt lonely,

They just handed her another distraction, rather than another hand to hold.

No one remembers, that when we arrived in this world,

We arrived with tender hearts,

Not armour.

Our chests carry a very unbearable ache,

That our dreams could too collapse, with the same deafening sound when love walks away from us.

She chooses to cry where no one can hear her,

Under the heavy weight of the shower water…

Behind closed doors, late at night…

Into pillows that catch her tears and will never tell a single soul.

So, you see,

Between every “I’m okay”,

Exists a silence that has buried too many names and souls.

She fears becoming “too emotional”,

“Too sensitive”,

“Too fragile”,

“Too human”…

So, she’d hide beneath her workload,

Behind a smile,

And behind her emotionless jokes, that sound happier than how she feels,

Building walls so thin and so high,

That even she forgets her way back home.

She feels pain too…

She bleeds where no eye can see,

Carries fractures and sprains between ordinary smiles,

She turns storms into ‘small talk’,

And calls survival “strength”.

Maybe that’s the cruelest thing of all…

The way some people ask why she never tends to speak up,

While at the same time teaches her - her whole life,

That her pain is just something that no one wants to hear…

An object in life,

Something that’s fully looked over.

And suddenly,

By the time someone wants to finally listen,

It’s too late…

Her voice was already ignored…

She has already gone quiet forever…

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform that celebrates the art of writing across various genres. This competition invites writers from around the world to showcase their talent and share their unique voices. It serves as a beacon for creativity, providing a stage for both emerging and established writers to connect with a global audience.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Aneetha Johannes for her poignant contribution, "The Unsaid and Unseen," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her work, rich with emotion and insight, offers a compelling reflection on the silent battles that many endure. We are grateful for her participation and the opportunity to share her voice with the world.

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.