The New Tattoo

A new tattoo on my mind.
Simple banner: “I Am A Bad Person.”

Placement yet to be decided. 
Naked body in the mirror:

across my chest, above my heart?
Others could easily see, and I would too.

Would the message sink in from there?
I look myself over again.

Down my dominant forearm
where it would remind all 

of my strength and weakness at once?
Ah, but then I could pull my sleeve down

and no one would know. So,
forehead instead? Maybe doubled

in reverse so that my mirror 
would tell me the tale, too? 

Do I want that level of 
awareness? Instead of that

perhaps two banners,
one on the bottom of each foot. 

I’d walk that message everywhere.
It would not be obvious to others

but I’d always know
what was haunting my steps.

Maybe I’ll just keep it quiet and run the banner
right across my lower gut, right above my privates.

Only those close enough to already know
would ever see. By that point

it might mean nothing to them
and might only bring a quick pang for me.