BY GLORIA O’KOYE
I made sure that every inked needle pierced into my delicate skin
Was earned to the fullest.
Call it ol’ skool
But I want to know what was the meaning behind each complex design
On the days I ask myself
Why on earth did I do it!
These tattoos tell stories
Way better than expert lens
Or audio recordings
The ink paints a vivid picture
Or encrypted messages that sometimes
Can only be decipher between the physical temple
And Creator
These tattoos aren’t for clout chasing
Or to give off an impression of the
Big & Bad
Just like what the machine supposed to do,
Permanently leaves its mark
It has a more therapeutic essence,
A deeper philosophical story than
Surface cracks.
I sought relief from the continuous pain
So, I won’t resort to the blade
To erase shattered reflections
The shards that pierce the scars
Reopening secrets
That was protected for my namesake.
So, if I get judged and lose opportunities in securing a steady job
So be it.
Because they wouldn’t care to hear a squeak of my struggles
And if my life were to be taken away
They would brush off the burden to insurance
And
Post up ‘Help Wanted’ signs the very next day!
These tattoos tell stories
That no words or written work can share.
So, if anyone were to see the tattoos making assumptions,
Just remember it’s on the surface you seek
Only a part of the story you’ll know
Until you speak to get 10 toes deep.
This piece is not to encourage the route I chose
But to give a different glimpse
Instead of whispers
And entertaining
Untold assumptions.
May you seek more than surface impressions,
And get to know deeper
the person that you are speaking too.
