inked

I’ve been inked, too.
what to many is conformity
and perhaps here it’s the
rational motivation.

it’s really my courage.
my desire to be me,
to hate less, love more,
cherish always the
intense emotions life is
demanding of me to
explore daily.

I’ve been inked too.
but not because it gives me
security
the way gang signs do.
unless we suddenly
redesign gang definition
to include those like me
who want to do everything
within their newly acquired
power
to assist.