The Women Behind the Home - By Trisha Ghosh

Written By: Trisha Ghosh

Category: Poetry

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In her poignant poem, "The Women Behind the Home," Trisha Ghosh delves into the often overlooked strength and sacrifices of homemakers. As part of the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this piece highlights the everyday heroics of women who choose family over personal dreams. Ghosh's work is a heartfelt ode to the dedication and silent endurance that these women embody, showcasing how integral they are to the fabric of familial life.

About the Work

Trisha Ghosh's poem captures the essence of a homemaker's life, exploring themes of sacrifice, love, and unrecognized labor. The poem is imbued with a sense of quiet resilience and unacknowledged strength, portraying the woman as the unseen force that keeps a family together. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt emotion, Ghosh honors the daily sacrifices made by homemakers, reminding us of their irreplaceable role in our lives.

The women behind the home

Original Submission by Trisha Ghosh

The Woman Behind the Home

She wakes before the morning learns to rise,

and sleeps only when the whole house is still.

Her hands are tired, her heart is full,

yet somehow, she finds the strength to give still.

She had dreams once-

dreams she quietly folded away,

not because they mattered less,

but because her family mattered more that day.

She chose togetherness over applause,

a warm meal over her own rest,

a family held close over a life

where perhaps she could have been her best.

She works without a clock,

without weekends, without a salary,

and somehow, the work she does every day

is treated as though it were ordinary.

“What's so difficult about staying at home?”

“I do so much too.”

Words spoken so easily,

by those who never see what she goes through.

Even children sometimes complain-

about the food, the mess, the little things.

They don't see the countless things she does

before the day even begins.

And sometimes, even the husband forgets

that the home doesn't simply run by itself.

Behind every clean room, every warm meal,

there is a woman who keeps giving of herself.

She doesn't ask for a medal.

She doesn't demand a throne.

Perhaps all she ever wanted

was to know her efforts were known.

Because when she isn't there,

the smallest things suddenly feel hard.

The meal isn't ready, the house feels different,

and everyone realizes how much she had carried.

She was never “just” a homemaker.

She was the thread holding everything together-

the comfort after a difficult day,

the person who made a house feel like home.

Her dreams may have waited,

her sacrifices may have gone unseen,

but every family story has a woman

whose love quietly lives between the scenes.

So before you complain about what she didn't do,

look at everything she has done.

Before you ask what she contributes,

ask yourself what would happen if she stopped.

Because a homemaker may receive no paycheck,

no promotion, no applause-

but she gives something far greater:

her time, her strength, her love, her all.

And perhaps the saddest truth is this-

the woman who gives the most

is often the one who receives the least

of the love and respect she deserves.

So say it while she can hear it.

Thank her while she is here.

Tell her that her work has meaning,

that her sacrifices were never invisible.

Because she doesn't need to be praised every day.

She simply deserves to be valued.

For she didn't just build a home-

she built the people who call it home.

- Trisha

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About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar provides a platform for writers to express their creativity and share their unique perspectives through poetry and prose. This esteemed competition celebrates diverse voices and encourages participants to explore a wide range of themes, offering them the opportunity to showcase their writing talents on a global stage.

Thank you, Trisha Ghosh, for your moving contribution to the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. "The Women Behind the Home" is a beautiful tribute to the strength and sacrifices of homemakers, capturing the essence of their vital role within the family. Your poem not only honors these unsung heroes but also enriches our understanding of their enduring contributions.

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.