When voices leave the room - By Syazalina Farahin Binti Jefferdin

Written By: Syazalina Farahin Binti Jefferdin

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Syazalina Farahin Binti Jefferdin presents a poignant piece titled "When voices leave the room." As a participant in the Poetry category, Syazalina explores the emotional landscape of learning and the impact of voices that guide us through our educational journey. Her work delicately captures the essence of transition and the enduring influence of mentors in our lives.

About the Work

"When voices leave the room" by Syazalina Farahin Binti Jefferdin is a reflective meditation on the absence of influential voices in our lives. The poem's mood is contemplative, filled with imagery of unfinished spaces and echoing conversations. Syazalina artfully captures the profound impact mentors have, transforming learning into a living experience. Her style is evocative, weaving themes of memory, guidance, and silent spaces left behind.

When voices leave the room

Original Submission by Syazalina Farahin Binti Jefferdin

Syazalina Farahin Binti Jefferdin

When voices leave the room

No one prepares you

for how a space can feel unfinished

once certain voices are gone.

There were days

I didn’t look forward to the subject,

but to the people who carried it,

who somehow made ideas feel

like living things

we were allowed to hold without fear.

One showed me that language could open a window;

another taught me that history never really ends,

we just walk around inside it,

trying to understand the walls.

And now both doorways feel dimmer.

The air talks differently.

The conversations echo without direction.

I used to think learning lived in books,

but I’ve realised

it lives in the ones who know how to guide you

through the tangled parts of thinking;

the ones who see you trying

even on the days you don’t.

Somewhere far from here,

I hope they’re surrounded by gentleness:

that passion found better soil,

that curiosity still feels like flight

and not something locked in a timetable.

I pretend I’m fine.

I pretend nothing changed.

But every time I write,

I leave a quiet space;

a place where their voices used to sit,

shaping the way I breathed through knowledge.

And maybe that’s what it means

for someone to teach you:

that even after they’re gone,

you’re still learning how to live

what they left behind.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, showcases diverse and inspiring voices from around the world. This esteemed platform celebrates creativity and expression, inviting writers and poets to share their unique perspectives. It is a celebration of literary art, offering participants an opportunity to engage with a global community of creatives.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Syazalina Farahin Binti Jefferdin for her moving contribution, "When voices leave the room," to the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her exploration of learning and memory resonates deeply, reminding us of the lasting impact mentors have on our lives. We look forward to witnessing more of her poetic journey.

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.