these two rings?
they represent everything
including my parents
who remind me of the need for forbearance
regular meals and antidepressants
no, sorry
it’s actually astronomy
two rings no stars for astral economy
a representation
of the tension
between the here and now
the yin and the kapow!
that’s what the tattooist said anyhow
and the tree?
okay yeah the tree is me
rooted to the spot but essentially free
if movement can move you statically
I suppose emphatically
an archetype?
or barketype – am I right!
a representation of the mystic circle of life
a bridge between heaven and earth and shite
roots rapping with the dead, boughs wow-wowing in the light
alright?
what – the ammonite?
the ammonite’s there to remind me at night
to check my lies are watertight
and also because of the siphuncles?
a genetic abnormality I share with my uncles
a tube that runs the length of our guts
and independently opens and shuts
and keeps us buoyant without any fuss
but that’s just us
a handy, family mutation
that regulates the depth in any conversation
not to mention
the disgusting habit
of when you sense food you reach out and grab it
also – eyes on the side, travelling backwards
waggling suckers at our detractors
basically a fossil with siphuncles and sutures
living in the past, lost to the future