Stress Street - By Suparna Ghansham

Written By: Suparna Ghansham

Category: Short Story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the realm of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Suparna Ghansham presents "Stress Street," a compelling short story that delves into the chaos of the mind. This narrative captures the relentless mental chatter and the elusive pursuit of solitude amid the cacophony of life. With its evocative imagery and introspective theme, "Stress Street" is a profound exploration of the human psyche.

About the Work

"Stress Street" is a vivid portrayal of the mental noise that accompanies us daily. Through a bustling metaphorical street filled with emotions, decisions, and instincts, Suparna Ghansham illustrates the struggle to find peace amidst the turmoil. The narrative is rich in imagery, capturing the essence of mental chaos, while also reflecting on the longing for tranquility and clarity in our lives.

Stress Street

Original Submission by Suparna Ghansham

A day begins. The sky is blue. The sun is out. Consciousness creeps in, overtaking the languor of sleep. The eyes open and once again, the mind is all geared up for another day’s work, mental work. I can just picture the mind in a suit, carrying a briefcase, heading for those road signs, which indicate where Stress Street is located. Hell, sometimes, it even takes a chopper down there, to beat the traffic. Questions, Notions, Instincts, Sensations, Anger, which is a subsidiary of Emotions, Inklings and Decisions are all located on this street along with another thing which may serve as a treat to few, Solitude. This street is a loud street, you would have to shout out loud to actually rise above the din, for one thing to supersede another. O the noise of these competing voices in my head, dictating me what to do, when to do it and how to do it! Even ‘Solitude’ would actually have to scream and defeat its entire purpose, to get a place in my head. Noises outside my head sometimes cannot be heard, I think too loud. Why o why does this mind torment me with all this cacophony? I try to listen to ‘Solitude’ and give it a place, but no, ‘Decisions’ has to come forth and take its place. ‘Notions’, ‘Instincts’, ‘Sensations’ and ‘Inklings’ then overrides ‘Decisions’, making the sound in my head louder. ‘Emotions’ then scurries in, giving way to ‘Anger’. How do you turn your mind off? How do you stop your mind from its daily routine of spending the entire day, and sometimes night, on Stress Street? Alas, I have no answer. ‘Questions’, ‘Questions’ and more ‘Questions’. They seem to be sprouting up like weeds on this street. Don’t they know they’re unwanted?

“Hey, we need a street cleaner!!!” No one hears me, no one can in all this noise. The whole day goes by, my mind having drained all the energy out of me.

Nighttime comes; those voices are still on. Working hours may be over, but I’m still on Stress Street, the Wall Street of the head, where everything happens, everything calls for your attention, everything demands YOU in wholeness, completeness, entirety. The moon is high above. With great difficulty, I coerce my mind to pay attention to it in all its splendour. I gaze at the sky, the stars and the universe. This place is beautiful. If I could only reduce the volume in my head, I would pay more attention to it. Is it too much to ask for the head to come with a remote control? There we go, ‘Questions’ again. My eyelids get tired, it is time to sleep, to take my mind into a state of unconsciousness, where hopefully it will not be haunted by the road signs to Stress Street.

Good night my fellowmen, here’s to another day.

END (480 words)

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious platform celebrating the art of storytelling and poetry. This competition invites writers from around the globe to showcase their creativity and unique voices, fostering a community of diverse literary talent.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Suparna Ghansham for sharing "Stress Street" with us. This thought-provoking short story is a testament to the power of introspection and creativity. We are grateful for your participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 and look forward to more of your insightful narratives.

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.