needles are fun

the night is old, but we're still young
let's archive our freedom
needlea are fun
come on let's get tattoed

eenie-meenie, what do you choose
the sistine chapel, a snapshot of the news
a patchwork quilt in pasteled hues
a mariachi quartet, an octopus

a landscape of lovely
a tribute to time
a version of the constitution
with lines that ryhme

come on let's get tattoed

we're permanent
we'll never wash off
tucked under the skin
like ancient rocks

*

the night is young, but now we're old
my puffer fish is growing mold
your popeye portrait is tired of holding
his can of spinach, his pirated gold

and oh my jesus his colors less bold
heart and thorns disappearing in my folds
the new york skyline, slouching off my shoulders
the burning bush's flame, tamed down and smouldered

we're pemanent, we'll never wash off
just under the skin,
like ancient, ancient, ancient . . . .