i went in to a tattooist...

down my road...

in the town i frequent...

and asked for a tattoo...

a small symbol...

on my finger...

his answer was no...

the policy being...

no face...

no neck...

no hands...

unless your heavily tattooed...

'excuse me'...

i inquired...

the explanation being...

if you are heavily tattooed...

you are aware of the severity of a tattoo...

i retorted that it was a preposterous theory...

that i understand the meanings...

of permanent ink...

and that these markings will be with me...

shock horror...

forever...