Vulgarity? - By Maisha Khan

Written By: Maisha Khan

Category: Poetry

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Maisha Khan presents an evocative piece titled "Vulgarity?" in the Poetry category. Her poem boldly addresses societal expectations and the inherent biases against feminine identity. With profound introspection, Maisha challenges the preconceived notions of vulgarity, encouraging readers to reflect on the cultural narratives that define and confine. Her work resonates deeply with themes of self-acceptance and liberation, offering a powerful voice to the often-muted realities of womanhood.

About the Work

"Vulgarity?" by Maisha Khan is a stirring exploration of the clash between societal norms and self-identity. The poem's tone is both defiant and reflective, questioning the cultural constructs that label and silence. Through vivid imagery and potent language, Maisha articulates the struggle of maintaining one's integrity amidst external pressures to conform. Her work is a celebration of resilience, urging a reclamation of narrative from imposed definitions and constraints.

Vulgarity?

Original Submission by Maisha Khan

yes, teacher

you say I’ve gone mad;

but perhaps it is madness

that saved what I had-

the unfractured self

you mistook for defiance

for I do not despise

the breadth of my thighs,

nor quiet the curve

where my own shadow lies-

I refuse to inherit

a hatred not mine.

you blame my body-

my lips and my hips,

like shame is stitched

into feminine scripts

as though girlhood itself

were a thesis in sin.

you marked me wrong

without even a clue

turned trauma to blame

then called it the truth-

a verdict delivered

without witness or proof.

tell me, then-

what fashions the vulgar?

the body that lives,

or the gaze that grows hungrier?

that sanctifies hunger

and names it as culture.

you drape me in silence,

rename it as grace,

teach fear like a prayer

I must wear on my face.

“cover yourself,”

as though cloth could confer

a virtue that blooms

only when I blur-

when I soften to absence

and call it demure.

but no, teacher-

I will not divide

myself into fragments

you find easier to hide-

I am not an erasure

you can dignify.

and no, teacher-

it wasn’t my fault;

I was never a test,

no answer inscribed

on the skin of my chest-

no rubric could measure

what I had suppressed.

“why didn’t you protest?”

you question my pain,

as if fear in a child

doesn’t freeze every vein-

as though silence were not

a rehearsed form of pain.

a child-

with a body too loud

for a world that prefers

its girls small and bowed-

already instructed

in shrinking aloud.

a child,

taught early to see

that a girl simply living

invites scrutiny-

that existence itself

is a quiet liability.

no, people-

I am not vulgar, not I;

I am merely a truth

you refused to let lie-

a voice long buried,

now learning to rise.

not your warning,

your shame, your decree-

I am not what you see-

not the narrative

you authored for me.

I am what survived,

I am fierce,

I am me-

unapologetic,

unfractured,

free.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating literary talent and creativity. This competition invites writers from around the world to share their unique voices and perspectives, offering a space for expression across various genres. Participants engage in a vibrant community that values originality and the power of storytelling.

Thank you, Maisha Khan, for your profound contribution to the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. "Vulgarity?" is a testament to the strength and resilience inherent in self-discovery and expression. We appreciate your courage in sharing such a powerful narrative that challenges societal norms and inspires others to embrace their truths.

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.