Blackwork

by KALINA SMITH

I want to tattoo my body until there’s no skin left,
cover up the scars, raised and angry white,
ink up the heart inside my chest.

I’ll start with things you love, like music fests,
smoking weed, horror movies, and UFC fights.
I want to tattoo my body until there’s no skin left.

You’ll see butterflies and clovers when I’m undressed.
Song lyrics from late nights gone and floral scenes,
inking up the heart inside my chest.

The needles will become one with my arms
to cover the lines, remnants of cardiac arrest.
I want to tattoo my body until there’s no skin left.

In the center of my breast, I’ll dedicate to you a crest
with shades of purple, red, and green,
inking up the heart inside my chest.

So that maybe in my body you’ll become a permanent guest,
run your hands over the healed skin, white.
I’m going to tattoo my body until there’s no skin left,
black ink filling up the heart inside my chest.

Ω

Kalina Smith (she/her) is a teacher and poet. She has previously been published in Nebo, a Literary Journal, The Ignatian, FLARE: The Flagler Review, The Cackling Kettle, ONE ART: A Journal of Poetry, RedRoseThorns, Down in the Dirt, and The Wayfarer, and has work forthcoming in The Font, Porcupine, Superfan, and The Dawn Review. Kalina currently serves as poetry editor for Shadowplay. You can find her on Instagram @kalinasmithpoetry.

Janelle Cordero is an artist living in Spokane, Washington. Her writing has appeared in dozens of literary journals, including Driftwood Press, Jet Fuel Review, and Hobart, while her paintings have been featured in venues throughout the Pacific Northwest. Janelle is the author of five books of poetry, including Talk Louder (Tulipwood Press). As a fifth-generation resident of eastern Washington, Janelle has a deep love for cedar groves, lilacs, and small towns with one main street.