inked

"mine is unique. I designed it myself"
I bet they've done a hundred of those.
The citizens file in.
buzzing, the gun sets to work
enveloped in candid art
they ink a little bit of each person's truth.
A dragon here, a pinup there.

Go in on a quiet day,
they're chatty and real,
bored without their craft to distract
Inked up; advertising

a history lines the walls:
Their favorite
The most challenging
The longest sit

each is a exploration of the lead designer's
Abilities.
these are the true arts
on bodies, in minds.
fast and simple.

"Give me your poor, your tired. Your huddled masses..."

and let me tattoo them.