You Will Wake Again, But Not to Be Reborn - By Hiral Mankad

Written By: Hiral Mankad

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the poignant poem "You Will Wake Again, But Not to Be Reborn," Hiral Mankad profoundly explores themes of modern existence and unfulfilled dreams. Part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar, this poem invites readers to reflect on the silent struggles and compromises of everyday life. Through vivid imagery and thought-provoking narrative, Mankad presents a compelling portrayal of a life caught between routine and aspiration.

About the Work

Hiral Mankad's "You Will Wake Again, But Not to Be Reborn" is a masterful exploration of the monotony and existential dread that can accompany modern life. The poem's rich imagery and contemplative tone effectively convey the protagonist's internal struggle and yearning for something more. Mankad deftly uses metaphor and vivid descriptions to depict the contrast between the protagonist's past artistic passion and the current reality of societal expectations.

You will wake again but not to be reborn

Original Submission by Hiral Mankad

YOU WILL WAKE AGAIN, BUT NOT TO BE REBORN

The alarm had not yet rung,

Neither is that alarm the beginning of his day,

It is only a confirmation of something that has already arrived,

He lay woke,

As if some buried part of him spoke,

A whisper cold that curled beneath his ribs,

A tide that pulled all at once he had lived,

At 6:35 Sharp, it came,

No sound,

But dread that knew him by his name.

He sits up slowly,

Where dreams and daylight disagree,

His feet on carpet worn by apathy,

And in corner, his easel held the memory of light,

Waiting without any accusation,

It does not beg,

It does not forgive,

It simply exists.

There was a time when morning did not belong to clocks,

They belonged to impulse,

The violent need to create something

He used to paint breath into air

Now numbers paid for oxygen and care.

He dresses like a man preparing to be filed away bare.

The train arrived,

A coffin carved in steel,

Where men silently forget what they could feel,

Their bodies lean into each other,

They sway like a practiced lie,

Each pair of eyes too tired to ask why,

He watches his reflection in the dark windows between stations,

It flickers, not enough to disappear,

Just enough to feel his unstable creation.

At office, everything is lit too evenly,

Nothing casts a shadow,

Even the people seem flattened,

As if depth would be inefficient

for their heart saddened

Sitting at desk number 42,

He buried truths in column full of lies,

Each task a muted plea,

Each hour killing who he used to be.

He once had his hands spoilt by paint colours,

Now he chased approvals and budgets,

for all pretentious boardroom rulers.

There is moment, somewhere near mid day

When the pain stops hurting,

It does not leave, it just learns to sit quietly.

“good weekend?” Malhotra asked, as script requires,

“too short”, he said, his voice a borrowed wire.

“Only 30 more years to go buddy”, Malhotra Laughed,

And there it struck,

He was not behind bars, not chains, not walls,

But careful choices dressed as protocols.

A cage constructed

Of fear, of rent, of bills

All that which was made of society’s pills

He looks at his hands,

They are unremarkable now,

Soft,

Clean,

Unburdened by proof.

It frightens him how easily the body forgets

What it once knew to hold.

By evening the city has rains,

Nature’s unending plea.

That touched his heart with all that he couldn’t be.

He stops in front of the gallery,

Not by design, but by command of the red light,

Something in him hesitates,

it brings a vision of all that has might.

Inside a girl, unpolished, fierce, and worn,

Painted colours like a universe reborn

Her canvas bled with red that dared to scream,

With yellow, her life full of dreams

Her posture, bent but unbroken,

She looked tired, undone

Yet somehow more complete than he could find.

So alive, it leaves his heavy heart behind

He saw himself reflected in the pane,

A half erased attempt to look the same.

A sketch abandoned midway through its start,

No depth of shadow, no remaining heart.

The suit does not fit quite right,

The shoulders slope like a question left unanswered,

He looked unfinished in every way possible.

Broken, ruined, abandoned.

His wallet pressed against his chest,

Proof that he has passed life’s test,

His bills were paid, his future neatly planned,

Yet, something vital slipped between his hands.

The light turned green, the world resumed its pace

He did not turn, he did not break the perfect frame,

He walked as though forgetting was a game.

Yes, there was a colour that tried to rise,

But it drowned, it had to drown,

under the weight of compromise.

That night, he sets the alarm,

6:35 AM. Carefully,

As if precision could make it mean less.

He lies down in the same shape he woke up

Oh, he knows, the dread will arrive before the alarm

It always does.

It says,

“you will wake again, but not to be reborn”

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, is an esteemed platform celebrating diverse voices and creative expression. This competition invites participants from around the world to showcase their literary talents, fostering a vibrant community of writers and poets. It offers a unique opportunity for creatives to share their work and engage with a global audience.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Hiral Mankad for sharing "You Will Wake Again, But Not to Be Reborn" with us as part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This evocative poem resonates deeply, inviting reflection on the intricate dance between dreams and reality. We look forward to seeing more of Hiral's insightful work 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.