Welcome Home - By Thando

Written By: Thando

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Thando brings a poignant exploration of home and heritage in their poem "Welcome Home" as a part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This piece, featured in the poetry category, delves into the themes of stability and timelessness, capturing the essence of what it means to find solace and security in familiar spaces. Through vivid imagery and thoughtful reflection, Thando invites readers to contemplate the enduring nature of home and the emotional connections it fosters.

About the Work

"Welcome Home" is a meditation on the steadfastness of home. Thando employs a rich tapestry of imagery and metaphors to convey the unwavering presence of familiar spaces, both physical and emotional. The poem juxtaposes the solid, unchanging structure of a house with the tender, intimate moments shared within it. This duality creates a profound narrative about the comfort and continuity that home provides, inviting readers to reflect on their personal connections to such spaces.

Welcome Home

Original Submission by Thando

Welcome Home

She stands firm

Both in the past and in the present

She stands true

Her structure unmoving, her frame unwavering

She is your childhood home in the neighbourhood of your youth.

He stands firm

The beams and pillars holding up the roof

He stands true

Through the changing of the wallpaper and the new furnishings, the gate remaining steady

He is the family home, ready to be passed down from generation to generation.

Hands soft

Hands slow

His hands explore her well

Like braille over her nipples to read her thoughts

Blind to the lights of chaos

Fingers agile and nimble

Sign language inside her; she is deaf to the noise of confusion

Hands warm

Hands gentle

A helping hand to her soft lips

She speaks to him with no words

Yet her tongue tells tales of passion

The way she grasps for words at the tip of her tongue,

Swirling syllables of salty sentences that taste like the moans from the back of his throat-

Home feels secure

Home feels warm

Home feels full

Home’s pace is steady and slow.

Home takes their time

Because Home is about savouring the moment.

Each stroke tells the time of a clock frozen

The hour has never been important to them

For their pleasure has always been outside the realm of this timeline.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates diverse voices in poetry and creative writing. This esteemed competition showcases the talents of writers globally, providing a platform for sharing unique perspectives and narratives. With a focus on creativity and expression, the competition serves as a beacon for literary excellence, encouraging participants to explore and convey their deepest thoughts and emotions through the written word.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Thando for sharing "Welcome Home" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your evocative portrayal of the essence of home resonates deeply, offering readers a profound reflection on the themes of security and timelessness. Thank you for contributing your voice to this celebration of creativity and literary expression.

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.