Chirography

The story (in poetic form) of my first tattoo.

Lying upon the black chair,

Skin exposed to the artist,

I make myself a canvas

Upon which he will create.

The painting is carried upon

My shoulder, 

A quill pen crossed with

Sewing needle and thread,

To tell the story of two lovers:

The minstrel poet

And the seamstress...

As he begins the etching,

The artist seems to cauterize

My bare back, with deft

Needle strokes.

I envision the pen, as if

A stabbing knife were

Scrawling chirography

In blood,

An ancient rite

Of passage,

Pain that must be endured.

The message I wish to

Display, expressed

In seared

Pencraft, 

Says to all:

"I am a writer;

I am in love."

An adumbrated poem,

There in flesh,

Made into an emblem

To remain,

Usque ad mortem (Until death).

Author's Note

The photo is of the actual tattoo in the process of being done!

Reviews

[Blue]

Aww. Don't know what to say but I think people who have tattoos are brave and crazy enough to have something forever etched on their skin. I love your narration here, Eric. "I am writer; I am inlove" struck me like a bolt of lightning. It's------

[Eric Pudalov]

Thank you again, Arzel!! I suppose I was brave - it was rather painful, but I've had much more painful experiences in my life, so it seemed minor by comparison. The artist did a beautiful job, too, which makes it much more special. Did you finish your comment? It's kind of cut off at the end!

[Blue]

I guess you have a point. And I did it on purpose. I just don't have the right word to express how much I like the poem. ;)

[Eric Pudalov]

Oh, thank you so much...from the bottom of my heart, honestly. That's so sweet of you.

[Tina Louise UK]

Great poem, great tatt, I personally am a fan of tattoos...enjoyed :) x

[Eric Pudalov]

Thank you Tia!! And yes, I do love the tattoo myself; if I didn't, I'd be stuck with it for life, wouldn't I? Do you have any tattoos?

[Tina Louise UK]

aye I have three :) x

[Eric Pudalov]

Nice! Hey Tia, I have a question about the poem itself - does it sound better if I don't define "usque ad mortem" at the end? I thought it might throw off the rhythm.

[Tina Louise UK]

No I like it, think it adds to it :) x

[Eric Pudalov]

OK, thank you! What are your tattoos of, by the way?

[Tina Louise UK]

tribal on back, Japanese for love on back of neck, initials on wrist :) x

[Eric Pudalov]

Wow, they sound like very cool designs. I like a lot of the tribal ones; I've considered getting a tribal scorpion at some point.

[Tina Louise UK]

aye they not bad, kinda wish I had gone for something prettier now though lol

[Eric Pudalov]

lol, that's why I made sure I *really* knew what I wanted before I got it - I knew I'd be stuck with it for life.

[Tina Louise UK]

yup lol..I liked it at the time...probably get it covered at some point :)

[s y e]

Wowcha, dude - sounds extremely painful and just put me off getting a tattoo, not that I was going to get one. Frieda would kill me, me thinks. This was nice though, I loved it.

[Eric Pudalov]

Thank you Noodle! I may have made it sound more painful than it actually was, but I think the fact that he did mine right on the bone was part of what made it so painful. So if you ever do get one, try somewhere where you have a little cushioning! :-)

[s y e]

That gives me the heebie jeebies! :-P

[Frieda P]

Ouch, sounds agonizing, the things we do for love and poetry is crazy sometimes. You old romantic you, painful, albeit good read. ;-)

[Eric Pudalov]

Thanks Frieda! It is true, we do crazy things for love (and love of art). Tell me something - is that picture of the tattoo off-putting? It's a little bloody. :-)

[Frieda P]

Not for me, but I can't speak for everyone here, clowns on the other hand are off-putting! ;-)

[Eric Pudalov]

OK, good to know! Perhaps I should write a poem about clowns, next!! BWAHAHAHAHAHA!

[Frieda P]

HA don't expect me to read it!! ;-P