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I Don't Feel Anything Writing Contest
The idea of curating this wonderful writing contest, “I Don’t Feel Anything,” arrived with a gentle thud of realisation that darkness is equally important as light. For years, I wondered why we despise sadness, grief, anxiety, anger, humility, depression, and other overwhelming emotions—labeling them unkind, diabolical, demonic, guilty, unacceptable, shameful, or as signs of weakness.
Ever heard of Yin-Yang? These emotions are significant in regulating your mind, body, and soul. It’s so important, especially in today’s world, where we are loners, activists, rebels, the kind, fighters, artists, and
writers, that we empower ourselves as we raise our voices against injustice. Through this anthology, we celebrate and acknowledge these emotions so that whoever reads this book does not feel alone. I hope
these poems caress your soul, open a portal to grief in silence—but not in isolation—channel your inner pain into movement, and most importantly, make you feel accepted within yourself.
I can never thank all our contributors enough for making this book possible. We have put all our efforts into judging, editing, providing artwork, and publishing I Don’t Feel Anything. I hope you will appreciate it by supporting us on social media or writing us an email. Anything that lets us know we are heard will mean the world to us.
Warmth and love,
Ruchi Acharya
Founder, Wingless Dreamer
Hip, Hip, Hurrah! Winning announcement for the " I don't feel anything contest
Let us repeat ourselves one more time, "Whether you win or lose, today we celebrate poetry". Don't get disheartened if your work hasn't been the grand winner of this writing contest. There are many more to come. Always remember, never ever give up on your dreams. Eventually, you'll pave the way. Keep it lit, folks."
Without any further ado, let's announce the winners...
The grand winner of the writing contest, "I Don't Feel Anything" is:
WHAT THE GROUND REMEMBERS - TOYA WALKER
Toya L. Walker is an urban farmer, educator, and founder of OrganicallyGrownQueen.com, a regenerative lifestyle brand rooted in food, land, and feminine power. Her work blends soil science, ancestral wisdom, and emotional healing, exploring how tending the earth mirrors the process of self reclamation. Through storytelling, gardening, and community-based education, Toya creates spaces for growth, resilience, and embodied abundance. goodgrace87 tiktok
The first runner-up is:
THE SAW (THE MCKINSEY-NATION OF EXPERIENCE) - PATRICK TROMBLY
Patrick Trombly re-emerged as a publishing poet in 2025. His poems have appeared or will soon appear in Loch Raven Review, The Closed Eye Open, In Parentheses, Beyond Words, PHIL LIT and other journals, as well as multiple Wingless Dreamer anthologies.
The second runner-up is:
INEDIANS DO NOT HAVE VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY - LINA BUIVIDACIČIŪTĖ
Lina Buividavičiūtė is a poet and literary critic. critic.c.
Here are the top finalists:
UNLEASHED - ASHOK JAHAGIRDAR
Ashok Jahagirdar is a seeker of unborrowed maps. His work explores the geography of the self—the pulse, the sod, and the vast, uncharted sky within. He believes true creation begins where inherited cages melt, and that the most vital stories are written not from expectation, but from the raw, peculiar grammar of one's own heart. This poem is an anthem for that journey.
CARRYING BURNED FIREWOOD - TERRY BRINKMAN
Terry Has been painting for over forty-five years. Now he paints with words creating Poems, he has had poems in the Salt Lake City Weekly paper. Four Kindle E- Books. Variant and Tide S.L.C.C. Anthologies. Poems in Rue Scribe, Tiny Seed, Juste Millew Lit. Poets choice. Wingless Dreamer. North Dakoda Quarterly and Utah Life Magazine.
COP-OUT- THOMAS PAGE
Thomas Page is a poet and writer based in Maryland in the DMV metro area. He graduated with his MFA in creative writing from the University of South Florida in May 2024. When he isn't writing, revising, or grading, he likes to travel around the country seeing all the kitsch it has to offer. His work has appeared or will appear in SoFloPoJo, Red Coyote, Meniscus, Rock Salt, Progenitor, Unstamatic, The Florida Review, Unfortunately, and How We Made It Over: Educating for Social Justice in the Spirit of Love.
SELF-LOVE ON THE ROCKS - GAVIN BOURKE
Gavin Bourke grew up in the suburb of Tallaght in West Dublin. Married to Annemarie living in County Meath, he holds a B.A. in Humanities from Dublin City University, an M.A. Degree in Modern Drama Studies and a Higher Diploma in Information Studies from University College Dublin. He writes mainly in the English language although to a lesser \ extent in the Irish language. He is published widely internationally and has been the recipient of many literary accolades.
I AM QUIET - SARA GOTTARDI
Sara is a poet and writer whose work explores quiet observation, inner stillness, and the subtle textures of human experience. They craft intimate, contemplative poetry that examines presence, absence, and the spaces between thought, feeling, and sensation.
WHAT STAYED - KAYLA NAMIO
Kayla Namio is a writer and poet whose work delves into themes of trauma, resilience, grief, and survival. She draws from her experiences as a Navy veteran and the trauma she has faced. As an advocate for children, animals, and survivors, her inspiration stems from lived experiences, human psychology, and the quiet strength she discovered through the healing process. In her poetry and books, she emphasizes emotional truth and memory, exploring how individuals endure their trauma. IG: Kayluhkatrinah
LOOK LIKE ME - A.X
This poem has not been previously published. A.X is a poet from Dallas, Texas. Their poems have not previously been published and Look Like Me is their first venture into the world of poetry.
And here are our contributors who made it to the publication amonf 400 submissions, wohoo!:
VOTE NO ON PUPPETISM - REEBIE ANN FLOWERS
THE OPPOSITE OF FEELING ALIVE - ALEX ANDY PHUONG
MELANCHOLY PLANET - LINA BUIVIDAVIČIŪTĖ
JADE ALLIGATOR - BILL SIMMONS
NUMB - HOWARD OSBORNE
ONE SET OF RIBS - HOPE CRAIG
WHAT REFUSES TO WILT - ALEXIS ANDRADE
EXIGENCY - ANDY BETZ
DEIN ZERRISSENHEIT AUF MEIN GRAB - LARA DOLPHIN
ANESTHETIZED - STEVE GERSON
THE DOG ATE MY HOMEWORK - JENNIFER WEIGEL
PINK SOIL - DYLAN NIGHT
NO GOOD DEED - RYAN RAHMAN
SMOKESTACKS - ALEX DAKO
OUT OF THE DARK - LANI TROWER
PERMANENT GOODBYES - RACHEL ECK
ESCAPISM - NICHOLAS BALDWIN
TO THOSE WHO - A.J. CHILSON
UNMOORED - VAN MONEA
BURY me WHEN AUTUMN ARRIVES - SLIZZIE
I FORGAVE MYSELF TODAY - JOANNE MACIAS
CREATURES OF THE DARK - SHAILAJA
VOICES IN YOUR HEAD - ALISON AIROLDI
ST. VALENTINE’S DAY, 1985 - T. ALLEN BURNETT
GRASSHOPPER - PATRICK TROMBLY
IN SESSION - SARAH
DARK BEAUTY - ALEXANDRA DARK
FEVER NIGHT - WYATT GARATT
I DON’T FEEL ANYTHING - L
Congratulations to all the winners. You’ve beautifully captured the essence of celebrating poetry as a whole.
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