Tattoo Me

Tattoo Me

In the realm of the mad god

where desperation seems real,

I am a man of a thousand faces

hiding beneath ink and steel.

Self-praise is no recommendation,

for I am a deviant to behold.

You cannot see beneath my skin

where the real drama unfolds.

Years of torture and abuse

hidden away, stripped of pride.

Cut the rope and tie me up,

one hundred lashes, my pleas defied.

Because I am so horrendous,

you shudder and back away in fear.

But you cannot comprehend my pain

and you cannot see my tears.

Cruelty has scarred my heart

as the needle scarred my hide.

Though I’ll never reveal myself to you…

I am still human deep down inside.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2015

September 6, 2015