Articulated Spiritual Masturbation

Older piece brought back for a contest. Hope you enjoy.

Articulated spiritual masturbation
Underlining self-mutilation
Ripping flesh, tearing skin
Injecting a poison deep within

Hibernating soul awakens
Defying what is sin
Permanent staining skin
As needles become electrified

With stencil applied
God’s perfect creation
Enhanced
Beautified

Ritual body modifications
Human interpretations
Art, love, and life
Illustrated by designs

Pleasure and pain coexist
In an intoxicating bliss
Hypnotic hums
Coming from
A hand held machinegun

Ink forcefully penetrates

Quivering flesh

Capturing of life

Upon human skin

 

Here my psyche
Is cleared
I am tranquil
I am whole

I am at home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tattoo for moments in life

Tattoo for the art

Tattoo for love ones

Don’t tattoo just because

Author's Note

Older piece brought back for a contest. Hope you enjoy.

Reviews

[Lucinda Bogart]

You captured all the wonders I wonder about tattootilation....tongue in cheek word sneak there, I swear !!

Although I don't catch much TV, I am utterly facinated by the show Inked...I look at tattoo mags at the bookstore and am intensely facinated by the art and the ritual of tattooing. I am convinced there's so much more to it than the trend or the beauty or the beast, to say the least. It leaves me wanting to know more. I'm sure it's been done, but if I were a photographer and could sell the idea, I'd do one of those coffee table books of tattoos accompanied by exposes of their owners and creators....

Very nice work !!

[TheTattooedPoet]

i freaking LOVE this.. no joke.. if it's ok, id like your permission to do it aloud at a reading here in my city.. giving your credit where it's due of course.. this is the best description of why we tattoo that ive ever read

[frogbean]

wow what an interesting way to portray a tattoo. i like it it makes me wanna have "fun' in the sexual fantacy way. i am thankfull that you reposted this poem. im glad i got the chance to read this. the analogys and imagry used is amasing. i wish that i could write as good as you.
these are a few of my favorit lines.

Hibernating soul awakens
Pleasure and pain coexist
In an intoxicating bliss

Well said. This poem has good form and good choice of words. A worthy read

[ELii]

I really liked this piece.

With stencil applied
God's perfect creation
Enhanced
Beautified

Art, love, and life
Illustrated by designs

I really like the way you have captured what tattooing should be about. i tend to fall asleep when i get tats, bc it puts me in a Zen like trance. I do feel at peace. Really awesome write. Keep it up.

[KayOss]

I did enjoy this. Quite a bit. The subject wasn't immediately obvious; I had to do a bit of reading to get it, but I like it that way. Maybe it's because I haven't been tattooed. Maybe it's because you never explicitly stated it. However, I like it when we have to read and have the realization dawn on us slowly. It makes for a more enjoyable experience. I must also say that your title is excellent. It does a good job of grabbing the eye and pulling the reader in.

[flaneur]

I loved the part about God's creation enhanced and feeling at home. Great poem!

[Manda A.]

Interesting piece! It gives a new look into the world of body modification and tatooing- and how they were really meant to be enjoyed! I see how the pain that is produced from such forms of expression can be liberating- there is no pleasure, nor beauty without pain.

Tattoo for moments in life
Tattoo for the art
Tattoo for love ones
Don't tattoo just because

You couldn't have ended it better than with this stanza! For a work of art of such permanence, it must mean something in order for it to be meaningful!

Your title says it all... :)

[Jack]

This sounds so spiritual I think I might need to get a new one so I can experience this awakening you describe so wonderfully.

[Petey]

I have always wanted a tattoo but have yet to find the right thing to get as of yet.

[E. M. Murren]

Well, I have never known the experience of being tattooed, but I love the theme and metaphors that flow throughout this work. As always... wonderful work.