I have one tattoo, so far. It is the words “poet breathe now” on the inside of my upper left arm. It has a lot of meaning to me, each word, the poem that inspired it, and the placement of it.
Right now, it serves as inspiration to write more poetry.
I love poetry because of its looseness. The way it can be silly or serious, short or long, rhythmic or prose, or all of the above, all at once.
We are all poets.
Here’s one by me to start:
Truth
My truth
is contrary
to someone else’s lie.
Who do you believe.
We protect abusers
and shame victims.
The truth
is uncomfortable
to hear.
Who do you trust.
You permit anger
and silence crying.
Our truth
is difficult
to parse.
Who are we, really.
I honor myself,
and move on.
angie hempel 