What Never Became a Story - By Sai Samyatha Gajjala
Written By: Sai Samyatha Gajjala
Category: Poetry, short story
Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026
Sai Samyatha Gajjala presents "What Never Became a Story," a poignant piece in the Poetry category for the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This evocative poem captures the essence of Kolkata's silent narratives, where the bustle of city life meets introspective stillness. Through vivid imagery and a careful portrayal of urban life, Gajjala invites the reader to pause and reflect on moments that often go unnoticed.
About the Work
"What Never Became a Story" is a masterful exploration of silence and stillness within a bustling cityscape. The poem is rich in imagery, painting a picture of Kolkata's lanes and the subtle mysteries that dwell there. With a mood that balances between the seen and the unseen, the work conveys a sense of stories untold and lives lived in the shadows. The careful attention to detail and mood invites readers to consider the quiet narratives that shape our urban environments.
Poem: What never became a story
Original Submission by Sai Samyatha Gajjala
POEM
What Never Became a Story
In Kolkata’s crowded lanes
even traffic hesitates at night.
Horns thin near Shyambazar crossings.
Tram lines catch old light like wire.
The city breathes, slower now,
careful with itself.
A single cry
cuts through a sleeping para.
A window opens, then stops mid-breath.
Someone stands behind it
and chooses not to become visible.
Curtains shift, then stop.
A latch turns halfway
and turns back harder this time.
No one steps out.
In the stairwell
a bulb flickers on damp walls.
This time footsteps are heard,
then corrected into silence.
A phone rests by the corridor switch.
It lights once in the night.
This time, someone picks it up
and waits longer than necessary.
Only silence answers,
but the screen stays warm in the hand.
A dog barks once at Tiretta Bazaar,
then refuses to bark again.
An extra plate stays on the table.
Not removed. Not spoken of.
Food grows cold beside it.
A uniform hangs near a fan
that cannot finish its turn.
Air moves, but nothing resolves.
Entally keeps its doors
not open, not closed,
but watched.
…
One person leaves the cover
and keeps walking.
Their slipper leaves a print that does not hold.
The street lets them go.
A tube light burns in North Kolkata
at the end of a narrow room.
A chair faces the door.
By morning, the chair has shifted slightly back.
Morning comes.
The gate is still unbolted.
A cycle bell rings once outside,
no one is seen using it.
Kolkata continues
without announcement.
Crossings remember more than they show.
Walls keep what never became a story.
A streetlight flickers in Entally
and stays on.
Not waiting. Not watching. Just on.
About the Competition
The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious event celebrating the art of words across the globe. It provides a platform for poets and writers to showcase their creative expressions, contributing to the vibrant tapestry of contemporary literature. This competition is a testament to the power of storytelling and the diverse voices that enrich our cultural landscape.
We extend our gratitude to Sai Samyatha Gajjala for sharing "What Never Became a Story" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your evocative portrayal of Kolkata and its silent stories offers readers a profound moment of reflection. Thank you for contributing your voice to this celebration of literary art.
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.
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