Tattoo for Timothy

Paint a poem upon my back
Use your bamboo slivers
Sew crimson chrysanthemums
In a field of calligraphy remembered
Take your block of ink, and mark me yours
Dream wet black riding on my hip:
Make unblotted sentiment flow down my spine.
Drown embroidered concubines and armies
Parading on my pillow silk
Take the hotel towel
(Blood daubed and excess black)
Pin it with a pickle fork
Make it a banner captured
Let my flesh and towel reflect
Blue black letters of commitment.
Saying
"If I could,
I would abrade
My words on your skin."