maybe just a little lizard on my leg

i see a line

of drunk

people standing outside

the open all

night

tattoo parlor.

young couples holding

hands,

old men

and women with

their sleeves

rolled up

reciting words that

they want

inscribed.

something poignant

and wise.

they discuss

Chinese symbols,

or birds,

or reptiles, some

sort of animal

that they want forever

crawling up

their arms

and thighs.

the truck pulls up

to drop

off another drum of

ink.

it's a gold mine.