There’s a knot in my stomach
which was not what I wanted but
guess what?
You can’t always get what you want.
But if you try sometimes…
What I need?
Not to feel this way. This knot is not from want
but from need.
© Experimentsinfiction 2021, All Rights Reserved
Written for dVerse
Tonight, Mish is hosting quadrille, and she has asked us to write a poem of exactly 44 words featuring the word ‘knot.’ This is the first time I wrote exactly 44 words in the first draft, so I decided not to change it! It may not be much, but it’s the best I can do…(It’s all about the song lyrics this evening, sorry!)
Oh, good call, Ingrid! Knots in the stomach are gnarly and so uncomfortable. Who the hell ties them?
I think sometimes we tie them ourselves…😬
Well done, and good song choice, too.
Thank you Misky – it’s the second poem inspired by this song!
I love prompts that give a word count, and your piece is no exception! Writing within a tiny frame gives us the opportunity to present a pearl in all its raw beauty. I love that you resisted the urge to change (polish) it.
Thank you Jaya, I could perhaps have polished it but as it came out ready-made at 44 words I thought I would let it stand!
I think it is perfect!
I like your conversational tone here, Ingrid, and of course love that song. The Wisdom of (the Rolling) Stones. 🙂
Thanks Lisa, it’s the second time I’ve used that song in a quadrille I think!
You’re welcome 🙂
Here I go from Beatles to Stones… love the way you incorporated the part of the song… sadly those knots are there sometimes, but I hope there are ways to deal with them before they tangle you down.
Thanks Björn. I don’t actually have one right now but I have plenty of experience with them!
This was fun to read as I suddenly found myself singing, then reading again. Wants and needs are hard to sort out sometimes. Loved this one.
Thanks Mish 😊
I like the way you took something upsetting, but gave it a light touch with the Rolling Stones (and yes, now the song is in my head and I didn’t even play it!) 😀. I hope any current knots unravel.
Thanks Merril! Really I was just thinking back to knots past 😊
😀
This is heartfelt Ingrid. And a good reminder to ask ourselves what we need, not what we think we want. 💖
Absolutely: or at least to try and figure out which is which!
Let me know if you find an easy way to do that! 😆
I will for sure 😅
tie myself in knots trying to work out one from another.
It can happen!
I liked the interplay between not and knot in this piece. The knot is palpable as the need to understand why. 💖
Thanks Tricia 😊
Nice one
Happy Monday
Much💜love
Thank you Gillena ❤️
Great job Ingrid and love your 44 exact words and song. I almost went with that pic this morning but it goes so much better with yours. Hope you feel better soon!!!!
💖💖💖💖👏👏👏👏👏Wish I could knead those knots for you! 💖
I’m not too knotted at the moment don’t worry! Thanks Cindy ❤️🙏😘
oh good to hear!!!!!! 💖💖💖💖
Stomach knots, perhaps the worst kind. Like how you’ve blended the song, to make a rich knot of a quadrille.
Thank you so much 🙏
I read this. I CAN get some Satisfaction. Roll on, Ingrid! Great stuff.
Glad to hear it Ron!
Well done
Thank you 🙏
Most welcome
Somewhere in my archive of poems I used the one “There’s a very great difference between what we want and what we need” and your words brought it to mind. I enjoyed your poem.
There is indeed, and the difficulty lies in trying to differentiate between the two. Thank you Beverly.
If we get what we need, can we “knot” be content? We’ve all felt those stomach knots, Ingrid!
Of course we have! And why knot be content with our lot? 😊
I feel a bit teased by this poem, Ingird… now I want to know why your stomach was tied up in knots 😀
Well done!
-David
I was just thinking back to times past when this has happened! Thanks David.
I can definitely resonate with this. Those knots are like macrame, very hard to become undone. Such a sick and uncomfortable feeling and you express it so well throughout this entire piece. Beautifully and poignantly written, I can almost feel the knot itself.
Like macrame – that’s a great way to describe them! Thank you Lucy ❤️
It works, Ingrid! <3 You seem to write with such ease! <3
Thank you Cheryl, I am grateful when I am able to do so ❤️
Loving the wordplay and the song reference! 🙂
Thank you 😊
You have a gift at weaving what it means to be human together with poetry.
Thank you Michele, it’s an important theme for me.
Just one of many themes you are passionate about. 😊 💓
I guess that’s true! Thanks Michele ❤️
No need to apologize, you did a fine Quadrille. Knots in the stomach may be a good sign of something exciting about to happen. Like falling in Love!!
That is true Dwight! It doesn’t have to be for a bad reason 😊
I can relate to this. Would that we could get in and untie them!
Easier said than done…
I am always incorporating songs into my interior ramblings too. I hope the knot unties itself soon. (K)
Ah, quoting The Rolling Stones is never a bad thing. No need to apologize for it. The starkness of knowing that need is what makes this succinct plea work, I felt this.
Thank you 🙏
Real tension, knotted gut, and reflective as to why, love the inner reflection.
Thank you Paul 🙏
I know the feeling…
Ah yes, that can be a horrible feeling, and you describe it so well!
Thank you Linda!
Keep writing✍️🌄.
What is that Knot?
It’s just a saying for that nervous feeling in your stomach when excited or stressed!
Generally, I feel a lot – A knot in my stomach.
I’m sorry to hear that. I hope you find a way to untie it!
I have to develop basic understanding, I think. Thanks.
I do yoga and meditation which helps me.
Indeed, the best idea.
I’m not a huge fan of the Stones but love this song and you wrote to it perfectly!
Must have read Laura’s mind … a variation on ekphrastic!
I suppose it is! Thanks 😊
The term “knot in the stomach” is used in many cultures! Meaning may differ, though!