To be Purple but Never a Dragon - By Doris Pushpam

Written By: Doris Pushpam

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the thought-provoking poem "To be Purple but Never a Dragon," Doris Pushpam navigates the complex themes of gender and identity with evocative imagery and symbolism. As part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this work stands out in the Poetry category for its exploration of societal norms and the courage to dream beyond them. The poem invites readers to reflect on the significance of color in defining roles and challenges the constraints imposed on women by traditional narratives.

About the Work

Doris Pushpam's poem employs rich imagery and a contemplative tone to critique societal expectations of gender roles. The recurring motif of the color purple serves as a powerful symbol of both constraint and potential. The poem's narrative journey from childhood dreams to an empowered declaration of identity challenges the reader to question traditional gender constructs. Through her vivid verses, Pushpam underscores the need to embrace one's full potential, ultimately advocating for a world where women can embody both power and autonomy.

To be Purple but Never a Dragon

Original Submission by Doris Pushpam

TO BE PURPLE BUT NEVER A DRAGON

At 5 I dreamt of princes on horses

And enchanted forest encounters,

I wore pink lace dresses and read fairy tales on princesses,

Where the princesses were trapped and the dragons weren’t purple.

No, they weren’t purple.

For in the mind of a girl, purple is for gowns and flowers

Purple is the colour of our ribbons and walls.

No, dragons weren’t purple because purple was woman,

And to be a woman meant to never be a dragon.

At 10 I was painting within the lines,

No more blue cats and green mice.

No more purple dragons because society taught me,

That colours have gender, and purple was for the nobodies.

For you see, I was branded at birth with a pink strap to my wrist

Introduced to my parents with my gender first,

Shackled to thought that purple was lesser

That pink meant putting up with bullying and harassment.

We don’t paint dragons purple,

No, purple is special.

To be purple is to be content with being needed but never accepted.

To be looked at but never acknowledged

To be buried at birth because we matter less

Purple is the single grape we eat all day

Because we only attract attention when our hips we sway.

To be purple means I will be walking down an aisle of purple flowers

To be purple means being given the illusion that I’m entitled to choices and preferences

To be purple is putting up with purple bruises,

All because to be purple is to be woman and to be a woman means to never be a dragon.

As I grew older I realised there’s a reason

Caesar chose robes of purple to represent his power.

Purple meant power and we shun what we fear

To some purple dragons are their worst nightmare.

There is nothing more terrifying than the thought

That a woman may be a dragon and so much more than that.

I emerged from the loins of a woman, a dragon in her own right

So I know purple dragons exist they just don’t know it yet.

I believe that someday a little girl,

Will paint her dragons purple with pride

She will sink her claws into her hopes and dreams

And make them fly on her glorious wings

And fire her scorching flames at the mention

Of being less than her known potential.

She will stand tall and proudly say

“I am purple, I am a dragon, I am a woman, I am a person”.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, celebrates diverse voices in literature from around the world. This prestigious competition provides a platform for poets and writers to share their unique perspectives on contemporary issues. Participants present their work in various categories, showcasing their creativity and the power of words to inspire change.

We extend our gratitude to Doris Pushpam for her compelling contribution, "To be Purple but Never a Dragon," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her insightful exploration of gender identity through the lens of poetry is both inspiring and thought-provoking. We look forward to seeing her continue to challenge and inspire through her future works.

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.