Where do the Feelings Go? - By Lily@ Nethra

Written By: Lily@ Nethra

Category: Poetry

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the evocative poem "Where do the Feelings Go?" Lily@ Nethra delves into the elusive nature of emotions with deft sensitivity. This entry into the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 offers readers a chance to reflect on the transient and complex journey of human feelings. Through her insightful exploration, Lily@ Nethra captures the quiet arrival and departure of joy, anger, envy, and more, inviting us to ponder their roles in our lives.

About the Work

"Where do the Feelings Go?" weaves a tapestry of introspection and emotional depth, questioning the nature and destination of our feelings. The poem’s imagery vividly portrays emotions as tangible entities with their own paths and destinations. Its contemplative tone encourages readers to examine their own emotional landscapes, leaving a lasting impression of curiosity and wonder.

Where do the Feelings Go?

Original Submission by Lily@ Nethra

Where do the Feelings Go?

Why does joy arrive so quietly

that we notice it only after it has gone,

like a guest who leaves the door ajar?

Where does anger keep its heat

when we have swallowed every word?

Is it in the jaw, the fists,

the long way home?

Who decided envy should taste of metal

and gratitude of warm bread?

Could they be swapped for one afternoon

to see who we become?

Why does hope behave like a stray cat,

never quite ours, always at the door?

And what does it eat

when we forget to feed it?

Is shame a mirror

or the person holding it up?

Why does it find us in the night,

years after the mistake has stopped breathing?

When laughter erupts at a funeral,

which feeling has broken the rules,

and who is the judge?

Does jealousy know

it is only longing in a borrowed coat?

Does longing know

it is only love without an address?

How can one body hold

the quiet of relief and the noise of regret

in the same hour,

and still be asked for dinner plans?

Why do we apologize to our tears

as though they were strangers on a train?

Who gave them the ticket,

and where were they headed?

If sorrow is heavy and delight is light,

why do both leave us

with the same shaking hands?

Is calm a feeling at all,

or only the pause between two weathers?

And what would we say to each emotion

if, just once, it sat down across from us

and asked, kindly,

what took you so long to let me in?

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates the vibrant world of creative expression. It welcomes participants from diverse backgrounds to share their unique voices and stories through poetry, short stories, and essays. This competition is a testament to the power of words and their ability to connect us all.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Lily@ Nethra for her poignant contribution, "Where do the Feelings Go?" to the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her exploration of emotions resonates deeply, reminding us of the intricate dance of feelings we experience. Thank you, Lily@ Nethra, for sharing your insightful voice with us.

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.