I was a painter
I didn't think much of poets
pegged them all as vegetarians
I bowled, I boxed, I mourned
when the Bums left Brooklyn
but I drew the line at tattoos
except the one I have on my shoulder
it says something in fancy latin about trust and duty
an old inscription on an obalesque
then there's a sexy lady, looks like Kim Novak
standing naked in a clam shell, Corinthian columns on each side
and more stuff in small greek letters like little fish crowded all around
(looks like the ocean from a distance)
under that's a Turkish Dagger with the Declaration of Independence
on the blade in Copperplate
and drops of ruby blood dripping down
the upraised arms of our Lady of Lourdes
whose open heart glows like a candle
the tears on her cheeks real enough to lick
drop to a place where it looks like my skin has popped open
a green King Cobra poking out, forked tongue hissing
diamonds twinkling on the flickering tips
the tail coils around in the small of my back
then curls down to my butt
I showed ma when I came home one time
'But there's nothing about your Mother!', she cried
see what I mean about tattoos
they hurt like a bitch when you get them
they can break an old lady's heart
***
Adding your comment:
I mean, I simply could not visualize you dressed in this tattoo. I think you took a big brush and blocked my eyesight totally with one layer of thick black oil paint in one deft stroke. 
Dee
