Recovery Tattoo

Die a hundred times before you die.
Rise above ashes. Breathe.

Ink chest-space with flames to burn doubt,
with sunlight that casts a shadow you embrace.

Mark the forehead for sight to strip the saboteur,

shake the devil down to dusty bones.

Give each thigh skeleton dances
for the rhythm of life-death cycles.

Color healing with a shooting star,
a tail of lightning gold.

Map the journey to remember
denial is a coward’s shuffle.

Extinguishes fire. Cheats the heart.