When the War is Over - By Warisha Vakeel

Written By: Warisha Vakeel

Category: Poetry

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the poignant poem "When the War is Over," Warisha Vakeel offers a reflective exploration of dreams and realities in the aftermath of conflict. As a participant in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Vakeel's work delves deeply into the contrasting desires of those affected by war. This thought-provoking piece invites readers to consider the broader implications of peace and the dreams that arise in its wake.

About the Work

Warisha Vakeel's poem captures the stark contrast between the dreams of those affected by war and the superficial peace of others. Through vivid imagery and emotive language, she paints a picture of longing, loss, and hope. The poem challenges readers to reflect on the silent wars fought by individuals and the communal yearning for a world where peace transcends mere words.

When the war is over

Original Submission by Warisha Vakeel

When the War Is Over

When the war is over,

the traders dream of trade in their favour,

the merchant dreams to count his coins,

and the politician dreams of their surviving chairs and borders.

Historians dream to sharpen their pens to write about the great war,

while the economists dream of stability with new reforms

And the nations dream to give speeches and songs about hard-earned peace.

A child beneath the rubble whispers, “I only dream of having sugar."

A man with dust upon his hands cries in agony for having no dreams , for nothing left to desire, but to search the remains of his family left to bury. Years of labour, a home, a shop, a family, a life assembled with patience and love, destroyed within seconds.

In another corner of the world, a girl dreams of a classroom, of sunlight on the notebooks, of driving a car and having a voice of her own.

She stands by the window watching children return from school, with longing in her eyes, as her mother watches too.

There is a sorrow only daughters inherit, and a silence women have been forced to sew into their mouths.

The world says the war is over.

She wonders: which one ?

Elsewhere a boy dreams of a companion, someone to share lunch, notes, secrets with, as he watches children share stories, stationery and benches with each other.

He learns to embrace loneliness, returning home with untouched words in his throat, still fighting a war with no monuments, no memorial songs, only the long ache of wanting to be seen.

And somewhere, a child dreams of bread.

Not tomorrow.

Today.

The stomach does not understand history or revolution.

It only knows the slow ache of waiting.

Tiny hands meant for colours and toys learn the burden of dusting clothes and mines.

Another child falls asleep in comfortable homes, dreaming of fairy tales and lullabies. War lives for him inside the museums, behind the glass,

In the history textbook of his class.

He knows kingdoms, superheroes returning alive.

But does not know that the woman who washes his clothes still prays for a proper home to save her children's lives.

That her son still fights to belong.

That her daughter still waits for freedom.

That some wars never announce themselves. They simply move from one generation to another like a tradition, a legacy.

When the war is over, perhaps children will meet without first exchanging surnames. No one asking where they come from, what God they pray to, and how much money sleeps inside their parents' pockets.

No colour to defend, no gender to apologize for. No language heavy with permission.

Just muddy hands holding onto each other, as they run together beneath the bright sun, being a giggle away.

The earth beneath their feet will belong to no one and therefore to all of them.

Yet the question remains:

When the war is over?

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates diverse voices and creative expression. Participants from around the globe share their unique perspectives through poetry and prose, fostering a community of storytellers. The competition is a platform for writers to showcase their talent and engage with a wide audience.

We extend our gratitude to Warisha Vakeel for her evocative poem "When the War is Over," shared as part of the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her work invites us to reflect deeply on the dreams and realities of a world striving for peace. We look forward to seeing more of her impactful contributions in the future.

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.