create account

Chains, a freewrite by owasco

View this thread on: hive.blogpeakd.comecency.com
· @owasco ·
$11.82
Chains, a freewrite


![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/owasco/23tc1nY6NMUTotPPNqAFpVi7ZGMpsUnhmSwXVUxfsPMaRBqXiQc2wyMsbraMbX7koPGwq.png)

![text16.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmcvVqhGMbF1KAHTn9Wh8FiRhmpAbiEuAKerVM7ugDnXfX/text16.png)



It was nearing Halloween, and his daily requests were getting more and more bizarre. 

Tasks such as **kick a puppy** and **annihilate a flame** had been appearing as commands on the refrigerator door in the mornings. 

She managed to find ways to complete the commands without doing much, if any, harm. She kicked a stuffed puppy, and ripped out a fire bush that had been blocking the driveway for years now. The house was coming into clearer focus really. Things were migrating to better places. 

The stuffed and kicked puppy had landed, nicely posed, on her dresser next to the poem-bookmarks her children had made her so very long ago.

"I don't know how to express my feelings" ended one of those poems. Children of seven years know more than adults in any room, don't they? When do we unlearn how to love? 

Yes, things were getting very clear, and the completion of today's assigned task, **stake something through the heart,** became obvious too. He was asking for it. 

She would ask for a divorce today. 

</center>![image.png](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/owasco/243WpwU3ZSK16oiApd5TkCh4MLw6cn6U4awbwq8RoAeRgP1XdxJFd7VFJ5BBnaLczbTt4.png)</center>


This is my entry to @mariannewest's daily freewrite [challenge](https://peakd.com/hive-161155/@daily.prompt/18-october-mariannewests-freewrite-writing-prompt-day-2193-stake-through-the-heart). Today's prompt is ***stake through the heart***. I used my self timer - I've written so many five minute freewrites now that I swear I have an internal timer. When it feels like I've been writing for around five minutes, I wrap up my stories, then I go back to proofread without changing *content.* The original story remains, but I correct grammar and typos before I hit publish. I also remove any unnecessary uses of the past perfect verb tense, which irritates me. This proofread stage takes far longer than the freewriting stage. 

I had hoped to write a happy story of love, and was clearly headed that way with the children and their mothers day poems, but those five minutes were coming to an end. My having once stabbed a heart in just this way appeared. Into the story it went. 

Freewriting can be a portal to the self. If you look down your nose at freewriting, try giving it a shot. 






<center>https://steemitimages.com/DQmY73bhwxZbFPVvGvGshKPCtEzK7fseuHjaxCDEW4fB6Pe/Freewritehouse-footer-500px.png
<center><sub></sub></center><div id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><br />
<table style="border-top: 1px solid #D3D4DE;">

<center>[image](https://pixabay.com/es/photos/pared-de-piedra-pared-roca-textura-2477715/) by @wales, Dean Moriarty</center>
👍  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 137 others
properties (23)
authorowasco
permlinkchains-a-freewrite
categoryhive-161155
json_metadata"{"app":"peakd/2023.10.1","format":"markdown","description":"In which a heart will be stabbed","tags":["freewrite","marriage","love","fiction","halloween"],"users":["mariannewest","daily.prompt","wales"],"image":["https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/owasco/23tc1nY6NMUTotPPNqAFpVi7ZGMpsUnhmSwXVUxfsPMaRBqXiQc2wyMsbraMbX7koPGwq.png","https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmcvVqhGMbF1KAHTn9Wh8FiRhmpAbiEuAKerVM7ugDnXfX/text16.png","https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/owasco/243WpwU3ZSK16oiApd5TkCh4MLw6cn6U4awbwq8RoAeRgP1XdxJFd7VFJ5BBnaLczbTt4.png","https://steemitimages.com/DQmY73bhwxZbFPVvGvGshKPCtEzK7fseuHjaxCDEW4fB6Pe/Freewritehouse-footer-500px.png"]}"
created2023-10-18 14:12:57
last_update2023-10-18 14:12:57
depth0
children21
last_payout2023-10-25 14:12:57
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value5.925 HBD
curator_payout_value5.892 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length2,881
author_reputation234,659,188,320,394
root_title"Chains, a freewrite"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd0
post_id128,098,336
net_rshares26,363,850,526,345
author_curate_reward""
vote details (201)
@carolkean ·
Always, I'm amazed at how much you pack into so few words.
His commands each day: why would any sane woman comply?
She finds ways to execute each order.
You comment: "all three of his commands could have been requests to harm him in some way" -
Intriguing!
And this biographical gem: "My having once stabbed a heart in just this way appeared. Into the story it went."
Their children write poems and turn them into bookmarks for her.
That small detail really leaps out at me.
Along with the line everyone will gravitate to: children know more about love than we do.
(Sure enough, others have already highlighted it: "Children of seven years know more than adults in any room, don't they? When do we unlearn how to love?")
We readers could speculate and write pages about this story!
Bravo!!!!
properties (22)
authorcarolkean
permlinks2s2gn
categoryhive-161155
json_metadata{"app":"hiveblog/0.1"}
created2023-10-19 13:21:57
last_update2023-10-19 13:21:57
depth1
children7
last_payout2023-10-26 13:21:57
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length791
author_reputation76,051,561,040,015
root_title"Chains, a freewrite"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id128,126,315
net_rshares0
@owasco ·
$0.02
I love you Carol!!! 

My real life, surreal these days, usually seeps into my freewrites. I imagine most writers use stuff from their experiences, no? 

I have two of those bookmarks on the mirror in my bedroom, one from Niko and one from Lily, both written in first grade. The last line of Lily's is "I don't know how to say all my feelings." Niko talked about how when he was in my belly he didn't know what kind of mom he was going to have, and he was a little scared. His last line is "I know you are a good mom." It's very hard for me to read it, even still! When will that poem make me as happy as it did when he first wrote it? 
👍  , ,
properties (23)
authorowasco
permlinkre-carolkean-s2s7z7
categoryhive-161155
json_metadata{"tags":["hive-161155"],"app":"peakd/2023.10.1"}
created2023-10-19 15:21:06
last_update2023-10-19 15:21:06
depth2
children6
last_payout2023-10-26 15:21:06
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.012 HBD
curator_payout_value0.012 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length635
author_reputation234,659,188,320,394
root_title"Chains, a freewrite"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id128,129,162
net_rshares57,584,705,948
author_curate_reward""
vote details (3)
@carolkean ·
I love your writing, the way your real life slips in between the words like butter adding so much to dry bread, or like the unseen spices that make the difference between a gourmet spaghetti sauce and a sour red tomato paste. Those little vignettes of truth, your truth, your life - maybe these are part of what sets your writing apart, gives it an authenticity (a punch in the gut too!) that so many writers seem to be missing.
Just revisited a book about writing (how many of these can the market support??) - 
["Don Quixote Meets The Mob: The Craft of Fiction & The Art of Life"](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/383183.Don_Quixote_Meets_the_Mob) by Susan Taylor Chehak, a graduate of the University of Iowa writing workshop, a former student of John Irving, a teacher.

#ferocious - that may be the word for what you do so well!

![image.png](https://images.hive.blog/DQmaEvdF6iwqkEuwx8HqM3KH1M8ntYAan8EXQ1nYYbTKfV5/image.png)
properties (22)
authorcarolkean
permlinks2ugjn
categoryhive-161155
json_metadata{"tags":["ferocious"],"image":["https://images.hive.blog/DQmaEvdF6iwqkEuwx8HqM3KH1M8ntYAan8EXQ1nYYbTKfV5/image.png"],"links":["https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/383183.Don_Quixote_Meets_the_Mob"],"app":"hiveblog/0.1"}
created2023-10-20 20:21:21
last_update2023-10-20 20:21:21
depth3
children5
last_payout2023-10-27 20:21:21
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length933
author_reputation76,051,561,040,015
root_title"Chains, a freewrite"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id128,162,702
net_rshares0
@honeydue ·
What a fucking psycho. Don't kick the dog. Even if it's a stuffed one. No guy/gal/love interest is worth it.

> "I don't know how to express my feelings" ended one of those poems. Children of seven years know more than adults in any room, don't they? When do we unlearn how to love?

This. <3
properties (22)
authorhoneydue
permlinks2qopu
categoryhive-161155
json_metadata{"app":"hiveblog/0.1"}
created2023-10-18 19:27:30
last_update2023-10-18 19:27:30
depth1
children4
last_payout2023-10-25 19:27:30
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length292
author_reputation889,618,623,645,658
root_title"Chains, a freewrite"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id128,104,928
net_rshares0
@owasco ·
$0.03
I now think of him as a genius who wanted to end his marriage, but wanted his wife to look like the bad guy. He knew she wouldn't kick any puppies. Now that I reread the story, I see all three of his commands could have been requests to harm him in some way, he is a masochist. She finally figured it out. Maybe he'd been saying stuff like that to her for 40 years. 

Thanks for reading and commenting on my story!!! 
👍  
properties (23)
authorowasco
permlinkre-honeydue-s2qp36
categoryhive-161155
json_metadata{"tags":["hive-161155"],"app":"peakd/2023.10.1"}
created2023-10-18 19:35:30
last_update2023-10-18 19:35:30
depth2
children3
last_payout2023-10-25 19:35:30
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.016 HBD
curator_payout_value0.017 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length417
author_reputation234,659,188,320,394
root_title"Chains, a freewrite"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id128,105,113
net_rshares79,226,397,182
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)
@honeydue ·
Not being able to speak your true name or nature, not even to those you love best. In that story, I suddenly sympathize with him a lot more. Thank you for another way to look at it :)
properties (22)
authorhoneydue
permlinks2qvg3
categoryhive-161155
json_metadata{"app":"hiveblog/0.1"}
created2023-10-18 21:52:51
last_update2023-10-18 21:52:51
depth3
children2
last_payout2023-10-25 21:52:51
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length183
author_reputation889,618,623,645,658
root_title"Chains, a freewrite"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id128,108,643
net_rshares0
@kemmyb ·
$0.28
>Children of seven years know more than adults in any room, don't they?

They most certainly do! A good way to explore love and change is through the innocent eyes of children. They understand love better than many adults. 

And as for the divorce, I'll agree "he was asking for it" with the bizarre requests. 😄 You weave mystery and emotion very well. !LADY 
👍  ,
properties (23)
authorkemmyb
permlinkre-owasco-s2qd4g
categoryhive-161155
json_metadata{"tags":["hive-161155"],"app":"peakd/2023.10.1"}
created2023-10-18 15:17:06
last_update2023-10-18 15:17:06
depth1
children4
last_payout2023-10-25 15:17:06
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.138 HBD
curator_payout_value0.137 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length359
author_reputation348,394,601,960,141
root_title"Chains, a freewrite"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id128,099,894
net_rshares614,634,630,467
author_curate_reward""
vote details (2)
@ladytoken ·
LOH 1697642235582
<div class='pull-right'>https://images.ecency.com/DQmbNGgo2ZfyBhJKoqCxyAUQFDPuGtk6Deh7ktYU92B1isW/loh_lady.png<p><sup><a href='https://hive-engine.com/?p=market&t=LOH'>View or trade </a> <code>LOH</code> tokens.</sup></p></div><center><br> <p>@kemmyb, you successfully shared 0.1000 LOH with @owasco and you earned 0.1000 LOH as tips. (2/4 calls)</p> <p>Use !LADY command to share LOH! More details available in <a href='https://peakd.com/hive-124452/@hive-124452/introducing-the-lady'>this post</a>.</p> </center><div></div>
properties (22)
authorladytoken
permlinkloh-1697642235582
categoryhive-161155
json_metadata{"app":"hiveblog/0.1","tags":["ladytoken","loh"]}
created2023-10-18 15:17:15
last_update2023-10-18 15:17:15
depth2
children0
last_payout2023-10-25 15:17:15
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length525
author_reputation1,686,302,972,238
root_title"Chains, a freewrite"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id128,099,898
net_rshares0
@owasco ·
Thank you! I love your stories too, and your poems! How nice to have you here. Have you been a freewriter for long? 
properties (22)
authorowasco
permlinkre-kemmyb-s2qdhj
categoryhive-161155
json_metadata{"tags":["hive-161155"],"app":"peakd/2023.10.1"}
created2023-10-18 15:24:54
last_update2023-10-18 15:24:54
depth2
children2
last_payout2023-10-25 15:24:54
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length116
author_reputation234,659,188,320,394
root_title"Chains, a freewrite"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id128,100,034
net_rshares0
@kemmyb ·
$0.23
Thank you. For as long as I've been on hive, that's like two years and counting. 😄
👍  
properties (23)
authorkemmyb
permlinkre-owasco-s2qf7o
categoryhive-161155
json_metadata{"tags":["hive-161155"],"app":"peakd/2023.10.1"}
created2023-10-18 16:02:12
last_update2023-10-18 16:02:12
depth3
children1
last_payout2023-10-25 16:02:12
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.115 HBD
curator_payout_value0.115 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length82
author_reputation348,394,601,960,141
root_title"Chains, a freewrite"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id128,100,853
net_rshares515,742,229,967
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)
@tobetada ·
@tipu curate
properties (22)
authortobetada
permlinkre-owasco-s2qdkj
categoryhive-161155
json_metadata{"tags":["hive-161155"],"app":"peakd/2023.10.1"}
created2023-10-18 15:26:42
last_update2023-10-18 15:26:42
depth1
children2
last_payout2023-10-25 15:26:42
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length12
author_reputation601,721,158,719,364
root_title"Chains, a freewrite"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id128,100,061
net_rshares0
@owasco ·
Thank you!!! 
properties (22)
authorowasco
permlinkre-tobetada-s2qds6
categoryhive-161155
json_metadata{"tags":["hive-161155"],"app":"peakd/2023.10.1"}
created2023-10-18 15:31:18
last_update2023-10-18 15:31:18
depth2
children0
last_payout2023-10-25 15:31:18
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length13
author_reputation234,659,188,320,394
root_title"Chains, a freewrite"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id128,100,156
net_rshares0
@tipu ·
<a href="https://tipu.online/hive_curator?tobetada" target="_blank">Upvoted  &#128076;</a> (Mana: 47/67) <a href="https://peakd.com/hive/@reward.app/reward-app-quick-guide-updated" target="_blank">Liquid rewards</a>.
properties (22)
authortipu
permlinkre-re-owasco-s2qdkj-20231018t152649z
categoryhive-161155
json_metadata"{"app": "beem/0.24.26"}"
created2023-10-18 15:26:48
last_update2023-10-18 15:26:48
depth2
children0
last_payout2023-10-25 15:26:48
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length216
author_reputation55,941,273,567,634
root_title"Chains, a freewrite"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id128,100,066
net_rshares0