Tattoos are but purchased scars...
Lost amongst the pubs and bars,
You’ll find a run down tattoo place,
Where you buy scars you can’t erase
A spraypaint sign says “Ed’s tattoo”
I’m sure that they do piercings too.
With your skin you step inside,
They’ll decorate your pretty hide.
Step into the grimy store,
Careful how you close that door,
It tends to lock behind the guests.
Your heart beats faster in your chest.
Once inside, you smell the mold
And before long, you will behold
The polaroids across the wall
Every tattoo, big and small
Arms and chests, tongues and thighs
Shoulders , toes, and even eyes
Skulls, revolvers, snakes and flame
Every tattoo you can name
One man’s face appears a lot
In almost every other shot
It’s a kind of sick affliction
With body art, tattoo addiction
Before long, a sound is heard
Then some softly spoken words
“What are you int’rested in?”
Pull your sleeves to hide your skin
Where it comes from it’s uncertain
‘till she emerges from the curtain
A lightning chill shoots up your spine
You see she carries turpentine
A taller woman, thin as death
With tequila on her breath
Thin dark hair and pale as bone
For years she has lived alone
Her eyes placed too far apart
Her body drawn like modern art
Scars adorn her, little clues
Scars from her removed tattoos
“So”, you ask “It’s Ed’s tattoo..
But here I see it's only you?"
She replies that her poor Ed
Has for years been resting dead
“I’m sure he still wears his marks
Where he’s sleeping in the dark”
She says this with a sicko grin :
“I wish that I had kept his skin”
So she took over at the store
And ran the business like before
She learned her loving husband’s trade
Wishing that her love had stayed
“So my friend, what have we got?
Name the tattoo and the spot
Then go inside and we’ll begin
To put my ink beneath your skin”
Sit down on the rusty chair
With the skin you have to wear
A rat now moves across the floor
She gets the needles from a drawer
She starts to mix the thick black ink
And she stops to sip her drink
“What picture do you want to find
Haunting both your skin and mind?”
The door is shut and you can’t leave
So you just roll up your sleeve
Soon you feel the room get colder
You want a heart drawn on your shoulder
A little smile at this request
As she gives the ink a test
"They say that love will last forever"
Not as long as ink, however”
“But darling, hearts are such a bore
You can imagine so much more
I’ll draw it but, what would you think
If I used my special ink?”
You ask what this new ink does
And the needle starts to buzz
The needle vibrates like a drill
And she tells you to hold still
Bits of rust fly off the tip
Drink in hand, she takes a sip
And just as it's above your skin
She pulls it back and rubs her chin
The needle makes an awful sound
As it clatters to the ground
"So tell me, who's the girl you know
That's worth a scar for you to show?"
You say your lovely girlfriend’s name
She shrugs as if it’s all the same
The needle squirms upon the floor
She picks it up just like before
“Now you’ll feel a little pain”
She gets close as she explains
“It will hurt, but I’ve been told
Hearts hurt less as they get old”
She gives your lower arm a squeeze
You feel the sting of countless bees
Buzzing, piercing, cutting you
She dabs off the blood it drew
Bite your tongue, and grit your teeth
As the ink slides underneath
You feel the stinging in your brain
And pass out from the searing pain
She works late into the night
Under the fluorescent light
Until the picture is complete
She covers it up nice and neat
“Now it may itch, or sting, or burn
that’s normal, but you must return
So I can photograph my art
The tattoo of the beating heart”
You walk away, and she calls after
Trying to hold back her laughter
“Don’t break it!”, as you depart
“That is, your arm or your heart”
As you get into your car
Tattoos show us who we are
You tear the bandage all apart
To find a dark and broken heart
On the bandage there's a note
That the parlor woman wrote
“No this wasn’t my mistake
One day hun, your heart will break”
You throw more bandage to the ground
And you see that further down
A skull is carved into your skin
With a sick and broken grin
She writes her pain on skin of men
With her black pulsating pen
To haunt the minds, and haunt the skin
Of all of those who come within
Beneath where the skull is drawn
A bandage where the note goes on
“And don't forget that death will come,
And like your arm, you will be numb..."
Author notes
This is a much older piece, I like going back and seeing how much I've improved since then. This one has always been a bit of a favorite of mine though, just because it has several memorable lines. I touched it up a bit, enjoy
Edit : Nov 12th, 2007 - This is by far my most popular piece on allpoetry going on views, comments, applause, and everything else. It was in the spotlight twice, so that's probably why... anyway, thanks to everyone who enjoyed it and even more thanks to those who promoted it. Thanks!
- AceOSpades
In a list
Too long? Shaddup :P
Comments
1 - 74 of 74
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another amazing write that held me there captive, and didnt let me go until the end.
i've got myself a tattoo, and i know that its a scar that will be with me my entire life.
very well done.
thank you for sharing.
♥ Andi
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Well done I liked this keep it up.
Amber -
amazing i think you are the best poet in this site
i love the comparison of tattoos with scars.
i have a couple tattoos myself and i can relate.
wonderful
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this is, actually, shockingly good.. the bit where he finds the skull beneath the heart, i actually got goosebumps looool. a- mazzingggg i wish in a few hundred years i can write like this!
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an unbelievable poem, i love that it rhymes and i love that its so long, it gives the story time to evolve on its own, it isnt rushed. the rythme gives it pace and i found i was reading quicker and quicker because it was so amazing, thank you for such a good read, alex.
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Holey shit...this is AWESOME......
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This is really good. I like seeing older poems and it show's you've came a long way from where you started and now.
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I like this a lot. I can defenitely see the improvement, but this one is still really good. I really like the story, and you told it so artfully.
I have one suggestion, but some things sound great to one poet, and wrong to another, so do with it what you will. In the last line of the twelfth stanza “I wish I had kept his skin” It might fit the rhythm a little better if you said, "I wish that I had kept his skin" It didn't sound bad though, it was just something I noticed.
Thanks again for the great read, it was a really well written, well thought out poem. And the rhyme (as usual) was done amazingly. Awesome job!
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You know, I've made that very same edit on another copy of this poem in the past ... I think I posted the wrong version when I posted it here so long ago. Thank you very much for catching it though. It's good to see you've not only got an ear for rhythm, but that you can tighten up a line that well.
Thanks
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It's no problem. I hate it when I had the rhythm right and made a typo or left out a word by accident when typing it up. I'd figured with that line it had been mistakenly rather than purposefully left out.
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wow.
your poetry is, for lack of better words, kick-ass, awesome, and altogether, amazing. i love it. -
Amazing~
Your poems make me shudder and I love it I'm gonna favorite you you're an awsome poet
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excellent rhyme and flow. A bit long for my taste but probably necessary for the story...I don't know. The ending rocks though. Thank you for entering
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Well done, keep up the good work.
Amber -
Awesome job
You did a wonderful job with this, and yea this is a long poem, but who cares....It's brillant, and well penned that's all that matters right!
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nIcE
I uSuaLy DoNt LyK lOnG pOeMs BuT i LuVd DiS oNe!!!GrEaT jOb!!!
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magnificent
you tell a wonderfull eerie story.this is very long, and its amazing how you got every line to rhyme so perfectly.such vivid imagery here,i really love it.
its scary,funny,and just plain awesome.even though its so long i couldnt take my eyes off of it.
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Loved this poem, rhyme and flow and subject. I've got two, and now am so glad I managed not to pass out during any-who knows what I may have ended up with? Great write.
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If there's one thing this poem has shown me... it's the sheer number of poets who have tattoos on this site. It isn't really meant to condemn tattooing all that much as a concept though.... thanks for reading !
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Wow!
First, let me just say, I normally don't like rhyming poetry. For me to like it, it has to be done well. Well you did that and how! To tell such a great story, while following your rhyme scheme like that, and never being cheesy! FANTASTIC!
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WOW
this is amazing. I loved it. I hung on every word of it. you did a great job. and to think I actually wanted a tattoo. the imagery that you used was great. I liked this stanza the best:
She writes her pain on skin of men
With her black pulsating pen
To haunt the minds, and haunt the skin
Of all of those who come within
Kat
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I love the opening line. I love the rythm of this poem, it reads so well. I like the line "it's a kind of sick affliction/ with body art, tattoo addiction" nicely worded. It continues on to be a descriptive and great poem. If this is an older one, that's a nice work. But very nice. I got eight tatoos.
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Eight!? I'm surprised this piece is popular with tattooed people... as this was kind of my sick thoughts after considering the idea of one tattoo... but now I must ask, what do you have and where?
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Drew me in kept me in absolutely loved it .story poem halloween creepy chills
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wow wow wow wow
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wow
the flow is amazing!
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Who would get a tattoo in such a run down place? There are so many sterile tattoo parlors. Still, made me laugh. Not so sure about the searing pain part either. Have you ever gotten a tattoo? Maybe with a rusty needle, it more than likely would be searing pain. Pretty brutal.
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wow
really awesome piece
very unique too, I've never read anything like it
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Thank you, can I ask how you tripped on this piece? Did somebody spotlight it again or something? Thanks so much for reading
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yeah it was in the spotlight
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awesome
I thought this was totally awesome. definately creepy in its own way, and I like creepy. I think I've read over it like twenty times already and each time it gets better. Nice job.
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I couldn't stop reading this, the rhyme scheme is so entrancing. It reminds me of a modern "The Raven"
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Wow now THAT is a compliment... thank you so much.
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Quite an insightful, deep piece, here. This delves deep into a specific condition of human nature. Exquisitely dark and captivating, there are so many lines I want to quote as my favorite. It masterfully portrays the conflict between bitter and naïve, how loss or tragedy can mold a person into a cynical, dark bitter realm, and how love can make another feel free and brave, brave enough to face and endure the repugnance and danger of this parlor, just to display this scar of love on the shoulder…very thought provoking, and absolutely stunning in it’s realistic nature, and accurate view of certain societal conditions. A marvelous scene this creates, very well written, very well done!!!
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Wow thank you so much for both a review and an interpretation! Also, thanks for the fave. I'll poke around your page later.
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I like this poem a lot. An it is nice to look back on a older piece that you have written an compare how well you improved with your work.
Amber
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Your SO on my favs
You really have a way for writing about things like this. I can't believe how many ppl commented on length, a poem should be as long as it takes. Such amazing flow and style. It really is a you style, like you own it. There wan't anything wrong with this. But I can't believe he didn't leave when he seen rats, I would have. Also I wouldn't go by myself, just in case Take care now!
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ahh i remmeber this one, though i'd stop by again to say how good it it; really, it is quiete outstanding, especially with the rhyme. you really should see about getting it published somewhere other than here, its wonderfully powerful
lucy
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Thanks, This is amazing, I really needed to hear something like this, I love it.
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That's a little odd... why did you "need" to hear something like this? Thanks for reading and all, I'm just curious
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Well maybe need isn't the right word, but one of my best friends stopped talking to me after I tried to convince them not to get covered in tattoos, and this poem reminds me of alot of things I said to her.
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I really like this poem. I would walk right out that palor with rats walking around,LOL! Keep up the great work.
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this is amazing
it really drew me in, one of the best poem i have read in a long time
it tells a deep and wonderfully crafted story, such a wonderful write. thank you VERY much for sharing
lucy
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Very interesting especially since tatoos have always interested me. The story is very captivating and original and in a strange way I related to the woman in this. I wondered how it would finish it up and was very happy with the conclusion. Leaves the reader with much to think about (and agree with).
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forgot the applause
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Yikes...
This is a good piece. Makes me glad I was too drunk to remember the tatoo I got on my 40th birthday. Grins. I felt the rhythm of the poem was practically flawless...and the story will stay with me as well. I will be bookmarking this page.
Do you perhaps have a book published? I ask because this would make a good piece for my oral interpretation students to do, but we are limited to performing poems that are published. Would love to have a copy of your book...
Write on, poet. -
The beat can be a little off.
Not as long as ink, however” - Great line. -
NICE!!! Wow Lissa said you were good and this being the first one I must say I am impressed. I like it very raw and almost bitter but not bitter I don't know how to explain it....FUCKING AWESOME and your canadian a BIG bonus!!! WTG!! Keep up the work.
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Wow... this at first seemed really long, yet i couldnt stop reading, the woman was definitely my fav. character!
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Haunting
Wow...
I was almost pushed away by the length of the piece, but this is gorgeous. I can only reiterate my initial verdict: this poem is haunting. The ending stanza caught me by surprise, but it still kept with the overall feel of the poem.
The opening is true, and the may/boy in the story clings to the, "purchased scars" sentiment.
I love the woman, and her backstory and justification and everything...it's a story in verse.
I'm known to abuse punctuation, but a few places seem like they were overlooked...
"One man’s face appears a lot,
In almost every other shot.
It’s a kind of sick affliction
With body art: tattoo addiction"
That's my take on that stanza.
This comment is plenty long enough. The only real thing I suggest is reevaluating some punctuation. But, then again, that's personal opinion.
Much Love,
Tori
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wow this was a great poem!!!!! well done
Tattoos are but purchased scars...
Lost amongst the pubs and bars,
You’ll find a run down tattoo place,
Where you buy scars you can’t erase
A spraypaint sign says “Ed’s tattoo”
I’m sure that they do piercings too -
Speechless :O
WOW!!! Talk about amazing. This was facinating. The story that is told and the pain involved both physically and emotionally is superb. I got so involved in this. I was drawn in deep with every word. It's amazing how you create such stories. I could never write quite like this. You have a great and interesting style. Keep up the fantastic work.
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GOOD NESS! This is such a powerful story. It had me reading to the end! You have such a wonderful imagination. I'm floored.
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As someone who works in a tattoo studio... I give you an A+ ...good work.
~MotherMachineGunn~ -
I like this, it's a longer piece, but it held my attention throughout. Very vivid, or maybe it just played my minor fear of needles... *shrug*. It's got some pretty dark moments. I enjoyed this, good story, good write. Rhyme flowed very well for the most part, as did the overall rhythm.
The only dependable thing about the future is uncertainty.
-Chaos -
reall long but also good
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tehe! this is neat! i really like it! even tho it's really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really looooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggg it dosn't drag, and it keeps your attention. good ryhming too, it keeps up the beat of the poem, but it dosn't seemed forced, ya know? great write. i like to go back and redo and improve my poems too, it's pretty neat to see how much you've grown. great job!!
--gooshawn <3 xoxo
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An amazing write. I don't have a particular fancy for tattoos but they are sort of an interesting subject. It was a perfect length for what you were saying, I enjoyed it. It was a wonderful story.
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this was a great write, just a bit too long for me. But I was just in a tattoo place recently and happy to say it was like a Dr.'s office. Clean and sterile. Not so with the clientele though LOL.
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OMG AWESOME!
This is a MASTERPIECE. So very visual and so uniquely written! Stunning! My sister has an addiction for tattoos, And she would ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS. I think that her's total 11 And she's wanting more. So beautifully done. I'm sitting here completely astonished. GORGEOUS POEM! -
WOW! That was incredibly powerful! having just received my first tattoo I have to agree that the pain involved was a bit more than I was expecting and yet still so pleased with the end result though i doubt i'll ever get another. Thank you ever so much for sharing this peice it was utterly fantastic!
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Freaking WOW.
On the stanza with taquila, if you added one more syllable...maybe to describe her breath, it would flow better on that part. Maybe a comma after years...
I really love the line, "her body drawn like modern art" You used scars twice very close together. I'd use a different word...If you can...
On the has for years been resting dead part, I'd put Has, for years, been resting dead. It makes the mind stop and seperate it...There are a few other instances in here like that...to where you should probably punctuate it more.
I LOVE THE LINE THAT SAYS: "They say that love will last forever,/But not as long as ink, however."
Amazing.
This is absolutely amazing. There are a few parts, where like I said could be punctuated to make the flow better, but you have excellent word choice. I have yet to see a poem that ryhmes that is this...Stunning...This flows so amazingly well...Great job. You do have a gift. I generally don't like poems that ryhme...I used to ryhme mine...and it got old...but I'll take a poem like this any day. Wow. This sent shock waves through my system dear. Feel free to enter my contest. Ha. Message me if you want a link. Tata love...and amazing job. This is the best ryhme poem i've ever seen. Nice work.
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I must say, like all of your poetry, I love it. You have a gift. I've been considering getting a tatto of, guess what? The Ace of Spades card. I know you'll smile at that if anyone will. Anyway, you are one who could definitely be cansidered a Master of Horror. This isn't so much scary as intirguing, though. I very much appreciate the idea of bad tattoo parlors. The rusty needle and locked door are my favorite symbols in this poem. Not many people could have pulled off such a rhyme with such a poem. I believ, yet again, that you will one day be considered a Modern Classic.
Stay true to your muse, my friend.
Triple Clap for you.
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Daniel Madison, a con man turned card manipulator has an ace tattooed on his arm... just below his elbow. I haven't heard him actually SAY it anywhere but I think it's pretty obvious it's so that he always has an ace up his sleeve. I think it's an ace of spades as well but I've only seen glimpses of it.
Thanks for reading
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WOAH. thats so freaky, but creative and twisty and creepy and i like it. im not so sure about getting a tatoo now though!
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Fantastic
i have several tattoos on my body and must say i've never been to a place like this! well done at keeping this interesting all the way through, i really enjoyed this.great rhyme and great flow.
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AWESOME
I don't find your write to be creepy at all. In fact, I feel I could have written this myself. I have no tattoos, or piercings, except my ears. I see the parlors that you speak of everywhere. It's a scary thing to me. I wonder if these people would let 666 be put on their forhead? I would rather have my head chopped off!lol Anyhoo, your poetic piece is superb. The imagery divine, and the rhyme is right up my poetic alley. Best I've read in a while. keep on penning
POETDONTKNOWIT -
This is by far one of the best rhyming poems I have ever read. Having tattoos myself, and one of a broken heart thats flaming, (oddly enough) you have captured the essence of all the senses while being tattooed. The story behind this is awesome. If this is an older poem, I cannot wait to see what you have done as of late. Your talent is amazing! Bravo!!
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This is pretty good if it's an older one, the rhyme fits, you have a nice syllable count, and the story is well executed... I think you overplayed the 'bought scars' idea a bit, nice as it was it got tedious... I think if the poem was compressed with about 3 less stanzas it'd be better, more compact as it did start to go on a bit at the end. A nice one though, and I'm not one for rhyme usually.
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I actually did slice it down a bit when touching it up and posting it here... I dropped a couple extra moments with the parlor lady. I thought about ditching some of the initial mood creepyness at the beginning... and the whole sequence where the needle falls on the floor was shortened a little bit. The hard thing is, I can't cut anything that's vital to the story, and I have a hard time cutting anything that has a really good line in it... so yes, sometimes I can't help myself.
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Maybe it's just me, but lines 51 and 52 seem like they should have the same beats, but 52 is shy one. Or I'm just too tired to count correctly. All else flowed astonishingly.
“'It will hurt, but I’ve been told
Hearts hurt less as they get old'”
Incredible line, it's where I first noticed of foreshadowing of more to come. Wonderful write and incredible skill depicted.
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It may be dark, but it's very very good. You've got a knack for rhyme for sure. I've never been good at writing poems that are lengthy like this one, and I usually don't like reading them either, but this one kept my interest piqued until the very end. I can definitely understand why this is an old favorite of yours. I think it just became a new favorite of mine. Thanks for sharing it >pixxie<
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Wow..its kind of creepy, but it is an amazing piece. I just couldn't stop reading it. but very creepy still. I want a tatoo but I think i'll be more carefull and do my reaserch first so I dont end up in a place like that
great~ -
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I've had a couple friends comment that this one slightly discouraged them from considering etting a tattoo ... both in terms of the overall creepyness and the gravity of some of the lines and comparisons.
Thanks for reading
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