To Feel is To Love - By AMIRAH BADRIAH BINTI AHMAD BAKARI

Written By: AMIRAH BADRIAH BINTI AHMAD BAKARI

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In her evocative poem "To Feel is To Love," AMIRAH BADRIAH BINTI AHMAD BAKARI delves into the profound emotions that define our connections with others. Submitted to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this poem captures the essence of love in its many forms, from the gentle nurturing of a parent to the selfless acts of a stranger. Through her words, Amirah invites readers to reflect on how love is woven into the everyday moments of life.

About the Work

"To Feel is To Love" explores the intricate and multifaceted nature of love, portraying it as both a tender and complex emotion. Amirah's poetic style utilizes vivid imagery and contrasts to illustrate love's beauty and its potential for pain. The poem invites contemplation on how love manifests in simple gestures and the profound impact these acts can have. It resonates with a universal truth: love is omnipresent and yet deeply personal.

To Feel is To Love

Original Submission by AMIRAH BADRIAH BINTI AHMAD BAKARI

To Feel is To Love

Love is a feeling

Love is when a mother soothes her child to sleep

Love is when a father remembers his child’s favourite food

Love is when a sister feeds her siblings despite previous arguments

Love is when a friend quietly waits while you tie your shoes

Love is when lovers are there for each other through thick and thin

And love is when someone stops traffic just for turtles to cross

Or when someone helps a stranger with their problems

That is love at its purest form

Love is beautiful

Love is breathtaking

Love is a piece of candy that sweetens your day

Love is always there

Some say love is in the air

And on a closer look, that might be true

After all, love is everywhere

While love can be innocent;

It can burn.

Some love is dark,

Born out of pure obsession

Some love consumes oneself,

Always filling others’ hearts while living their own empty

Some love can feel like a cage,

Trapping the receiver with no way out

But some love is born out of need-

The need to care

The need to treasure

The need to protect

Love is also a fragile being

Like glass, once broken never to be restored

But love comes from the heart, and the heart heals

Despite the sadness, despite the pain

Despite the happiness, despite the anger

Despite the storm that keeps brewing

Or despite the flowers that continue to bloom

The heart will still beat to the rhythm

An autonomous being, never to be controlled by others-

Not the brain, nor the body

And so do feelings

Some appear briefly, like passing clouds

Some stay for a while

And some make themselves at home

Not all feelings can be described

But one thing is sure:

To feel is to love

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, celebrates the diversity and depth of human expression through written word. This platform provides writers worldwide an opportunity to share their unique voices and perspectives, uniting a global community through the art of storytelling and poetry. Participants contribute works that explore a wide range of themes, showcasing the beauty and complexity of creative writing.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to AMIRAH BADRIAH BINTI AHMAD BAKARI for her insightful contribution, "To Feel is To Love," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her portrayal of love's diverse expressions enriches our understanding of this powerful emotion. Thank you, Amirah, for sharing your poetic vision with us and our readers.

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.