Travis explains that the TN13 tattoo "combines the T & N, moving off the final bar of the N into the 13."
Travis elaborates:
"My dad's dad (Papa) used the TN arrangement as his cattle brand, and it just so happens that my initials are TN. I was born on a Friday the 13th, so if anyone has rights to having that number on their body, it is me! After reading Angels & Demons by Dan Brown, the prequel to The Da Vinci Code, I was struck with the way the Illuminati would write the same word legibly forward and up right as well as upside down and backwards at the same time [ambigrams]. This made me set to work during the more boring college classes I took at designing my tattoo. Gary Brandon at Body Language Tattoo in Cheney, WA put the design on me exactly as I requested, and it has brought lots of commentary since being placed there!"He adds
"On my other arm I had in place a heart with basketball on it, surrounded by the words 'tRUE LOVE'...
People assume a lot of things about a guy in a wheelchair (spinal muscular atrophy, a form of muscular dystrophy), that particular tattoo goes against several of those assumptions!"Travis chose to share the following poem, which appeared previously in Empty Sink Publishing here.
Tattoo Until Death
Trying to describe an experience not felt firsthand is tough
But I saw the depth of reality in Jamie’s eyes
As she described how words were painted on her skin
With caring touch and real connection
Pausing as the pain grew too intense
Shed as an intimate gesture
A gift
Unlike any that could have been given
Given a different set of circumstances
It is felt like being there in the moment when her skin was bare
Allowing all the elements to embed sense memory
On the naked tapestry of her body
In an atmosphere that started off nervous
For a variety of reasons
Ranging from shy feelings brought shedding clothes
To knowing a single slip of the wrist
Would mean probable infection
Since the bold artist with beat ideas to ink
Carries HIV
Understanding the consequences of a mishap
Actually led to some demands for delay
So he could build up courage to work on a friend
Touching her completely across the upper torso
Working masterfully while inflicting mixed doses of pleasure, pain
Closely holding her skin in new directions
Breathing across her
Adding to the intensity
Felt by even the wind outside
As it provided a soundtrack
Varying degrees of climactic expression
That mixed with classical music
Played inside to provide a point of focus
Keeping both minds in the moment instead of being lost
In the moment
Which would have led to a more seductive touch
Between two people that could not afford to forget the cost
Lest the virus were given an opportunity to spread
And worse
A marriage possibly caught in turmoil
Caused by a friend that for mere pleasure put aside her nerves …
No sex happened
The connection was deeper than that
Even if they both felt a similar excitement
It was due to exquisite workmanship
A closeness rarely encountered
A gift that will last a lifetime
This entry is ©2016 Tattoosday. The poem and tattoo are reprinted with the poet's permission.
If you are reading this on another website other than Tattoosday, without attribution, please note that it has been copied without the author's permission and is in violation of copyright laws. Please feel free to visit http://tattoosday.blogspot.com and read our original content. Please let me know if you saw this elsewhere so I contact the webmaster of the offending site and advise them of this violation in their Terms of Use Agreement.
But I saw the depth of reality in Jamie’s eyes
As she described how words were painted on her skin
With caring touch and real connection
Pausing as the pain grew too intense
Gently wiping away ink and blood
A gift
Unlike any that could have been given
Given a different set of circumstances
It is felt like being there in the moment when her skin was bare
Allowing all the elements to embed sense memory
On the naked tapestry of her body
In an atmosphere that started off nervous
For a variety of reasons
Ranging from shy feelings brought shedding clothes
To knowing a single slip of the wrist
Would mean probable infection
Since the bold artist with beat ideas to ink
Carries HIV
Understanding the consequences of a mishap
Actually led to some demands for delay
So he could build up courage to work on a friend
Touching her completely across the upper torso
Working masterfully while inflicting mixed doses of pleasure, pain
Closely holding her skin in new directions
Breathing across her
Adding to the intensity
Felt by even the wind outside
As it provided a soundtrack
Varying degrees of climactic expression
That mixed with classical music
Played inside to provide a point of focus
Keeping both minds in the moment instead of being lost
In the moment
Which would have led to a more seductive touch
Between two people that could not afford to forget the cost
Lest the virus were given an opportunity to spread
And worse
A marriage possibly caught in turmoil
Caused by a friend that for mere pleasure put aside her nerves …
No sex happened
The connection was deeper than that
Even if they both felt a similar excitement
It was due to exquisite workmanship
A closeness rarely encountered
A gift that will last a lifetime
~ ~ ~
The poem above is accompanied by a photo of the tattoo in question over at Empty Sink Publishing,
Travis Naught completed graduate coursework toward a Masters degree in sports psychology at Eastern Washington University and spent 10 years working with their men's basketball team before quitting his volunteer position to pursue writing full-time. Hus first book of poetry, The Virgin Journals, came out in 2012 and his first novel, Joyride, is being published by Black Rose Writing this summer! Please visit naughtapoet.blogspot.com for more information and to read more original work by Travis. You can also follow his work on Facebook here,
Thanks to Travis for sharing his tattoos and poem with us here on Tattoosday!
This entry is ©2016 Tattoosday. The poem and tattoo are reprinted with the poet's permission.
If you are reading this on another website other than Tattoosday, without attribution, please note that it has been copied without the author's permission and is in violation of copyright laws. Please feel free to visit http://tattoosday.blogspot.com and read our original content. Please let me know if you saw this elsewhere so I contact the webmaster of the offending site and advise them of this violation in their Terms of Use Agreement.
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