sometimes i marvel at my ability to overlook the most simple things. for something like years now i've been trying to find the right images to place on my body. it may be true that a picture is worth a thousand words, but a thousand words are not worth only one picture. thousands themselves, or millions. and only now it occurs to me to turn to my first love, my most passionate affair, my long time companion. all my life i have been writing notes on my body - with pens, with glass. now i understand what i need. i need ee cummings above my left breast. i need michael ondaatje on my belly.

can't you see it too?

dear mr ondaatje--

i would like to permanently mark my skin with lines of your poetry. would this contravene copyright, do you think?

i'll be wearing your tattoo,
a tree