The Voices on Hold - By Nanette Jordaan

Written By: Nanette Jordaan

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the realm of evocative poetry, Nanette Jordaan's "The Voices on Hold" stands as a compelling entry in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Representing a deep exploration of emotional resilience and identity, this poem resonates with the universal experience of waiting and longing for connection. Jordaan skillfully captures the essence of human introspection and emotional processing, making it a noteworthy contribution to the poetry category of the competition.

About the Work

"The Voices on Hold" immerses the reader in a profound exploration of solitude and the human longing for acknowledgment. Through a haunting narrative, Jordaan deftly employs the motif of hold music as a metaphor for emotional voids and unfulfilled desires. The poem's stark imagery and rhythmic repetition echo the inner turmoil and existential questions faced by the speaker. This poignant work invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of waiting and the search for meaning in a disconnected world.

The Voices on Hold

Original Submission by Nanette Jordaan

The Voices on Hold

By Nanette Jordaan

Trrr trrr... Trrr trrr...

You have reached

The Emotional Processing Department.

All our agents are currently busy.

Please hold for our next available agent.

You are caller number 114.

Someone will be with you shortly.

Hold music.

Designed to fill the void

silence leaves.

It's supposed to dull

the ache

of being

alone.

It doesn't.

Hold music

echoes through

a hollow soul.

All our agents are currently busy.

Please hold for our next available agent.

You are caller number 92.

Someone will be with you shortly.

I'm so tired.

And my unwieldy body

suddenly finds the phone so heavy.

And the weight of the world

cracks my mask,

and my mind's darkness seeps out –

it's everything I once loved

that rotted in my head.

All our agents are currently busy.

Please hold for our next available agent.

You are caller number 75.

Someone will be with you shortly.

I'm waiting.

I'm waiting for someone to answer the phone,

waiting to be heard,

waiting to be seen,

waiting to mean something.

I'm always waiting.

But I'm wasting away

while I wait.

I'm losing pieces of myself,

giving them to you.

All our agents are currently busy.

Please hold for our next available agent.

You are caller number 59.

Someone will be with you shortly.

So much is expected of Someone.

Someone will care.

Someone will listen.

Someone will notice.

Someone will come.

Someone will answer.

Someone will be with you shortly.

Someone will be with you shortly.

What would it take for Someone to be human?

What if Someone doesn't answer?

What if I lose all of me

before Someone hears my plea?

All our agents are currently busy.

Please hold for our next available agent.

You are caller number 37.

Someone will be with you shortly.

What do you do when no one

cares enough

to listen?

When you scream into a void,

when your lungs are filled with water,

when your vocal cords have been ripped out,

when no one will hear you?

When no one notices your silence?

All our agents are currently busy.

Please hold for our next available agent.

You are caller number 16.

Someone will be with you shortly.

You never answer your phone.

You never listen.

You don't have time for me.

You don't see me.

You don't care.

You won't even notice

when I'm gone.

All our agents are currently busy.

Please hold for our next available agent.

You are the next caller.

Someone will be with you shortly.

Hi, I'm –

You have reached

The Emotional Processing Department.

All our agents are currently busy.

Please hold for our next available agent.

You are caller number 120...

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, is a prestigious platform celebrating literary talents worldwide. It invites writers and poets to share their unique voices and creative expressions in a global arena. This competition is a testament to the power of words in connecting diverse cultures and fostering a deeper understanding of the human experience.

Thank you, Nanette Jordaan, for sharing "The Voices on Hold" with us as part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your work offers a profound reflection on the human condition, resonating deeply with readers. We appreciate your contribution and look forward to seeing more of your poetic journey.

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.