Why Am I Inside? - By Rudrakshini Kanthan

Written By: Rudrakshini Kanthan

Category: Poetic monologue

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Rudrakshini Kanthan presents a compelling poetic monologue titled "Why Am I Inside?" as part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This evocative piece invites readers into a world of emotion and memory, captured through the lens of a photograph. As a participant in this international competition, Rudrakshini's work stands out for its depth and introspection, examining themes of love, loss, and the passage of time through the metaphor of a cherished photograph.

About the Work

"Why Am I Inside?" is a poignant exploration of memory and emotion, narrated from the perspective of a photograph. The piece is rich in imagery, evoking sensations of nostalgia and longing. The narrative unfolds with a sense of drama and unspoken love, capturing the essence of relationships and the weight of memories carried through time. The deliberate incompleteness of the piece adds a layer of intrigue and invites readers to reflect on the nature of remembrance and the emotions we attach to inanimate objects.

Why Am I Inside?

Original Submission by Rudrakshini Kanthan

Why Am I Inside?

“I am the photograph folded inside his pocket.

Torn.

Creased.

Stained.

Yet he keeps me close.

I hold his children. The woman who taught him that jasmine could linger longer than spring.

Ask me how I was torn.

He clutched me each time the night woke to cries.

Ask me how I was crushed.

He lost a limb. Perhaps, that's why I'm no longer in his shirt.

Ask me why I no longer smell of home.

Once,

I carried the sweetness of cheesecake dripping with jam.

The faint perfume of jasmine in her hair.

The softness of baby powder in their cheeks.

Now...

No sugar.

No flowers.

No talcum.

Only sweat,

smoke,

and the metallic scent that no photograph should ever learn.”

Why Am I Inside?

This is absolutely one of my favorite pieces of all time.

The drama, unspoken love, and oppression of choice…yet, the piece feels incomplete, doesn't?

Yes, it does. And it has been done deliberately.

This is a narrative carried out by a photograph. Obviously, it is nothing compared to fragrant flowers or scented seals, right? It's just a mere piece of wood pulp, right?

Um…I don't think so.

Paper holds memories, patience, and virtue. Unfortunately, it is, again, a paper. It doesn't express any emotion, and that is exactly why a meaningful poem like this sounds clinical and bland.

Either Byron's verses or medical checks, paper reads them both with distant words. Yet, we understand, don't we?

I hope you enjoyed my poetic monologue, thank you!

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating the art of written expression. It invites participants from around the world to share their unique voices and stories through poetry and creative writing. The competition is a testament to the power of words and their ability to transcend boundaries, fostering a global community of writers and poets.

We extend our gratitude to Rudrakshini Kanthan for sharing the profound poetic monologue "Why Am I Inside?" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your exploration of memory and emotion through this narrative has enriched our understanding of the human experience. Thank you for your participation and for contributing to the world of creative writing.

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.