Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Inked Memories

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!!)






-->

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.”

21 comments:

  1. smiles...cool bits you carry around with you...reminders of where you have been...who is important...and those define where you go...i like the one just for you...nice ink...

    ReplyDelete
  2. So meaningful, Katie... and I love the ending.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I listened to the interview from the link provided. It's really cool how you wove their song, your tattoos and this poem into one.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love that they all have such deep meaning, it makes them truly beautiful. A lovely poem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!! I promised myself that I'd never get a tattoo that didn't mean something to me!! :-)

      Delete
  5. A fun tour -- packed with meaning. Meanings that are with you each day, so you won't be alone.
    Thanx

    ReplyDelete
  6. nice on carrying those memories, inked on your skin with you...and good to have just one totally for yourself as well...like a promise...i like..happy new year to you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks!! Happy new year, hope it's a good one for ya!! :-)

      Delete
  7. Whether it is tattoos, poems, pictures, blogs, written diaries, video, conversations w/ family members in your life, those people will be with you. I like how you ended the poem, as it is universal to many.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I got knocked out at a dropkicks show once...punched square in the face...missed the whole damn thing....love the linkage between tattoos and memory...and the celtic qualities of them, the irishness...just infuses this with a feeling of real kinship

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ouch, man!! That sucks!! Great, great band to see live!! Really glad you liked the poem!! :-)

      Delete
  9. Katie this is beautiful... I am of another generation... I have piercings in my ears and nose from when I was a teen and in my twenties... each one has relevance for me for different reasons... I can understand from your poem why your tattoos are so important to you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. ps... most of my piercings came to be when Punk was first becoming known (and expressed) in the US back in the 80's:-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :-) I'm glad you liked it!! I always say that I should have been born about 10-15 years sooner so I could have been around for the beginning of punk!! :-)

      Delete
  11. Nice to have those memories inked and forever linked with you ~

    Thanks for sharing these with us ~

    ReplyDelete