I read an article today in which a member of my favorite band was talking about a new song, "Rose Tattoo," what it is about & why he wrote it. Something he said reminded me of something I do every-so-often, and it inspired this poem: "Oftentimes, I just catch it out of the corner of my eye and it
literally changes my mood when I think of him and what a strong
individual he was."
The article:
http://www.npr.org/2013/01/01/168406178/the-dropkick-murphys-a-rose-tattoo-tells-a-life-story?sc=tw&cc=share
All lyrics from "Rose Tattoo" By Dropkick Murphys
http://www.plyrics.com/lyrics/dropkickmurphys/rosetattoo.html
http://www.dropkickmurphys.com/news
This is for
dVerse Open Link Night!! Let me know what you think!! :-) (Seriously, though, I would really appreciate the feedback!!)
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Inked Memories
Towel drying my hair,
back to the mirror,
I look behind me
and catch sight of my
three green and black tattoos.
“This one means the most to me”
The first, a K with a clover
on top, links
me to my brother.
“Stays here for eternity”
“This one’s for my family name”
Further down, another clover,
green & knotted
surrounded by Gaelic:
Máthair Athair Deatháir.
Mother Father Brother.
“With pride I’ll wear it to the grave”
“You’ll always be there with me’
Opposite side of my spine,
a long Celtic knot,
green highlighted a double-helix design.
Surrounded by names
of departed family and friends.
“Even if you’re gone”
“I signed and sealed these words in blood”
I look down at my left thigh
while pulling on my jeans.
Black, red, gray.
Lyrics, lines, a rose
for my favorite band.
“I heard them once, sung in a song”
“I ain’t winning no one over”
I trace the stars and swirl of clovers,
gray, green, purple
with my finger on my right thigh.
This one’s mine alone.
“I wear it just for you”
I smile
as I cover up my ink
with clothes,
and I quietly sing
“I had these memories all around me
So I wouldn’t be alone.”
