Waging Art

I battle dragons in their caves 

on winding plaths of body art.

The swords and daggers

on my arms that point

to sunlight shout I’ve won,

that everything’s okay.

But I conceal tattoos

that pierce what’s left

of my hard heart.

This warrior’s art and armor 

hides my pain and urge for death.

inspired by:

• Day 16 of the September challenge, tattoos, in the Garden of Neuro Institute Poetry Circle

• Living Poetry challenge (okay, Plath, wage): https://livingpoetry.net/2024/09/16/monday-poetry-prompt-okay-plath-wage/

• What do you see: https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2024/09/16/what-do-you-see-254-september-16-2024/

published in Substack:

https://open.substack.com/pub/nolcha/p/dark-monday-91625?r=xwogn&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true