Where are you? - By Nikhil Kher

Written By: Nikhil Kher

Category: Poetry

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Join us in exploring "Where are you?" by Nikhil Kher, a poignant poetic entry in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This evocative piece delves into themes of distance and longing, brought to life through the lens of modern technology. Nikhil's work offers a heartfelt reflection on the emotional landscape of maintaining connections across miles, resonating deeply with the universal experience of yearning for closeness in a digital age.

About the Work

Nikhil Kher's "Where are you?" captures the tender yet bittersweet emotions of longing and separation. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt expression, the poem paints a portrait of a relationship sustained through video calls and memories. The work is imbued with a sense of hope and resilience, as the narrator grapples with the challenges of distance, always returning to the question, "Where are you?" The poem's reflective tone and emotional depth make it a moving exploration of love in the modern era.

Where are you?

Original Submission by Nikhil Kher

Where Are You?

Through all these video calls, I keep wanting to look again

At your vivid smile, your gleaming eyes, again and again.

I try to stare straight into your eyes, just as I always do,

But miles stand between us still, no matter what we do.

One half of the screen is my own face, staring back at me,

The other, much more beautiful half, is where I'd rather be.

The screen tries hard to bridge the gap, to make the distance few,

But some distances are too large, and this one still gets through.

No camera can ever catch the sparkle that comes alive

Whenever your eyes meet mine. It may record the view,

But only my own eyes can know the light that shines in you.

Every missed embrace reminds me that my world begins with you.

My hands can only reach as far as the phone screen in my hand,

Trying somehow to touch you, though miles between us stand.

We place our fingers on the glass, hoping to feel them through,

Like looking at yourself in a mirror-close, but never true.

It's suffocating sometimes that memories are all I've got,

Your photographs, your written words, the moments time forgot.

I can run through every street here, as far as my feet can go,

But I'll never find the hands that held me when I was low, or the face that I know.

I know these days are temporary, I know they will pass by,

And there will come a time again when distance won't apply.

When I can sit beside you once more, not through a screen or view,

But right there in the same room, talking just like we used to do.

I know I cannot break down now, can't let this longing win,

Can't let it stop the dreams and goals for which I've journeyed in.

Yet sometimes all those reasons fade, and all my thoughts turn blue,

As my heart keeps asking one thing only-

Where are you?

So I'll keep fighting through these days and do what I've come for,

Keep reminding myself why I walked through this distant door.

But whenever silence finds me, and the day is finally through,

My heart still asks the same old question-

Where are you?

I remind myself of the great Cervantes as he said “Trust in time”,

A line so fine, It fills my heart with hope , positivity and sunshine

One day, I will no longer whisper, “Where are you?” into the empty air-

For wherever I turn, I will simply smile and say, “Here you are.”

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar invites writers to share their unique voices and stories. This esteemed platform showcases diverse literary talents, offering participants an opportunity to connect with a global audience. The competition is celebrated for its inclusivity and encouragement of creative expression across various genres and themes.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Nikhil Kher for sharing "Where are you?" with us in the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This beautiful exploration of distance and connection is a testament to the enduring power of love and hope. We look forward to more inspiring work from Nikhil 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.