Written on Friday 9th of October 2026.Tranquility Poetry Contest.
Sponsored By Constance La France.
If a job is affecting your health and wellbeing, maybe it’s time to choose a new career. Quote by poet. Paul Mann was a stockbroker who worked in the city Worked long hours to provide for Sue and his family He'd often wake up early, sometimes full of dread And he would often worry about what lay up ahead. He would leave his house very early to catch the first train To get to his office in the capital city of Augusta in Maine He'd get a Starbucks and was always first through the door His world was stocks and shares; he needed nothing more. But his work obsession was slowly taking over his life His job came first he'd ignore his family and his wife He could never sit still and he was always on the go But things were coming to a head and ready to blow. One day he got off the train and he just lay across the track Some people saw him and thought he'd had a heart attack He was mumbling and with glazed eyes was in a bad way Someone called an ambulance and they took him away. At the hospital he was incoherent and at the same time elated A psychiatrist was summoned and Paul was heavily sedated His wife arrived and a doctor told her he'd attempted suicide She couldn't believe what he'd said and broke down and cried. He was later transferred to St Joseph's a secure hospital And for about five weeks just sat there totally noncommittal St Joseph's was an old manor house set in acres of woodland There was a lake and flower beds that looked fine and grand. It was about a week later that Paul started to communicate Was starting to eat normally again and was putting on weight He realised that his stressful job had sent him over the edge And when his Sue called to see him, he made her a pledge. He said," I'm so sorry for what I did, I was in a dark hole I let things at work get the better of me and it took its toll The nurses and doctors are great with their intense therapy They’re helping me rediscover inner peace and tranquility”. “I’m not going back to my job I’ll find something less stressful I want to spend more time with you, John, Abby, and Hazel I’ll keep the weekends free and we’ll spend time as a family And I hope that dark episode in my life will fade from memory”
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Tranquility Poetry Contest.