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!)
Experiments in Fiction 
Oh, good call, Ingrid! Knots in the stomach are gnarly and so uncomfortable. Who the hell ties them?
LikeLike
I think sometimes we tie them ourselves…😬
LikeLike
Well done, and good song choice, too.
LikeLike
Thank you Misky – it’s the second poem inspired by this song!
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
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!
LikeLike
I think it is perfect!
LikeLike
I like your conversational tone here, Ingrid, and of course love that song. The Wisdom of (the Rolling) Stones. :)
LikeLike
Thanks Lisa, it’s the second time I’ve used that song in a quadrille I think!
LikeLike
You’re welcome :)
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
Thanks Björn. I don’t actually have one right now but I have plenty of experience with them!
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
Thanks Mish 😊
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
Thanks Merril! Really I was just thinking back to knots past 😊
LikeLike
😀
LikeLike
This is heartfelt Ingrid. And a good reminder to ask ourselves what we need, not what we think we want. 💖
LikeLike
Absolutely: or at least to try and figure out which is which!
LikeLike
Let me know if you find an easy way to do that! 😆
LikeLike
I will for sure 😅
LikeLike
tie myself in knots trying to work out one from another.
LikeLike
It can happen!
LikeLike
I liked the interplay between not and knot in this piece. The knot is palpable as the need to understand why. 💖
LikeLike
Thanks Tricia 😊
LikeLike
Nice one
Happy Monday
Much💜love
LikeLike
Thank you Gillena ❤️
LikeLike
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! 💖
LikeLike
I’m not too knotted at the moment don’t worry! Thanks Cindy ❤️🙏😘
LikeLike
oh good to hear!!!!!! 💖💖💖💖
LikeLike
Stomach knots, perhaps the worst kind. Like how you’ve blended the song, to make a rich knot of a quadrille.
LikeLike
Thank you so much 🙏
LikeLike
I read this. I CAN get some Satisfaction. Roll on, Ingrid! Great stuff.
LikeLike
Glad to hear it Ron!
LikeLike
Well done
LikeLike
Thank you 🙏
LikeLike
Most welcome
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
There is indeed, and the difficulty lies in trying to differentiate between the two. Thank you Beverly.
LikeLike
If we get what we need, can we “knot” be content? We’ve all felt those stomach knots, Ingrid!
LikeLike
Of course we have! And why knot be content with our lot? 😊
LikeLike
I feel a bit teased by this poem, Ingird… now I want to know why your stomach was tied up in knots :-D
Well done!
-David
LikeLike
I was just thinking back to times past when this has happened! Thanks David.
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
Like macrame – that’s a great way to describe them! Thank you Lucy ❤️
LikeLike
It works, Ingrid! <3 You seem to write with such ease! <3
LikeLike
Thank you Cheryl, I am grateful when I am able to do so ❤️
LikeLike
Loving the wordplay and the song reference! :)
LikeLike
Thank you 😊
LikeLike
You have a gift at weaving what it means to be human together with poetry.
LikeLike
Thank you Michele, it’s an important theme for me.
LikeLike
Just one of many themes you are passionate about. 😊 💓
LikeLike
I guess that’s true! Thanks Michele ❤️
LikeLike
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!!
LikeLike
That is true Dwight! It doesn’t have to be for a bad reason 😊
LikeLike
I can relate to this. Would that we could get in and untie them!
LikeLike
Easier said than done…
LikeLike
I am always incorporating songs into my interior ramblings too. I hope the knot unties itself soon. (K)
LikeLike
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.
LikeLike
Thank you 🙏
LikeLike
Real tension, knotted gut, and reflective as to why, love the inner reflection.
LikeLike
Thank you Paul 🙏
LikeLike
I know the feeling…
LikeLike
Ah yes, that can be a horrible feeling, and you describe it so well!
LikeLike
Thank you Linda!
LikeLike
Keep writing✍️🌄.
LikeLike
What is that Knot?
LikeLike
It’s just a saying for that nervous feeling in your stomach when excited or stressed!
LikeLike
Generally, I feel a lot – A knot in my stomach.
LikeLike
I’m sorry to hear that. I hope you find a way to untie it!
LikeLike
I have to develop basic understanding, I think. Thanks.
LikeLike
I do yoga and meditation which helps me.
LikeLike
Indeed, the best idea.
LikeLike
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!
LikeLike
I suppose it is! Thanks 😊
LikeLike
The term “knot in the stomach” is used in many cultures! Meaning may differ, though!
LikeLike