“You can’t write the clear biography
of the aches and pains inside your skull.”
– Jim Harrison
Tattoos are skin deep –
I want to scrimshaw love poems
onto your bones
and mine
Scratch the itch of Rumi
in endless spiral scrawl,
Persian, Arabic and Greek
knotting our ribs
The whale tooth you left in me
from when we made love –
you are fair game
in my hunt for ivory
Celtic curses for knuckles,
Beowulf’s sweord and scylda at hand,
and all of Macbeth
twitching in my thumbs
Spending years, decades,
a lifetime
illuminating manuscripts,
endless scores of this song
There is just one more thing
I wanted to tell you –
will you know it
by heart?
Good stuff
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Thanks. Much appreciated!
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One of my betterish ones here, if you’re interested. https://qbit.blog/2018/06/02/mid-air/
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Magic—love the thumb-pricking Shakespeare
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Well, I just slid on the loose gravel of this one, all the way into the river. Tats are only skin deep and weaving in all that lit – extra points for going Beowulf. The hunt and the knight images are completely charming and worthy of the lit you bring forth. Of course, that last line is so completely ‘love poem’ in nature. A love poem as only Sir Q would write 🙂
Side note: We were sitting on Park Ave (this one, not that one) last night drinking wine, watching people, and a guy goes by wearing a Hurley t-Shirt. I said, I really want to take a sharpie and write Burly under it. Of course, he didn’t look much like that would work for him, so I consoled myself with quoting some witches & etc. This is what happens when nerds are allowed out in public.
Great poem!
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Thank you!! Figured if I was going to write from these old bones, I would have to go back to Beowulf. Great comment, so much appreciated.
I think you should carry an Extra- Sharpie at all times and proceed to mark up the world as needed. I belive your
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These old bones? Permit an eye roll here. Wait. Let me guess. You’ve celebrated your BD already this year?
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No, coming up. I know, I’m next.
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Don’t forget to grant wishes
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Just practicing my shtick.
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Believe your state teaching licensure covers that. Pro English teacher. Like having M.D. plates on your car.
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My favorite line-“I want to scrimshaw love poems onto your bones and mine.” Big sigh- beautiful.
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Thanks!
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That is a great question to leave one to ponder with! Great write! ❤
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Thank you!
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“something wicked” in this writing, Mr. q! Your talent at wordplay is not a mere allusion …er, illusion (I get those crossed …religiously). This is a beautiful love poem guaranteed to leave her head spinning. Great work!
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Like Charley, I loved the allusions–and the magic (illusions) they created. Beowolf, Macbeth, and perhaps Moby Dick, too–all wrapped up, a present of a love poem.
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Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
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