I give him the picture and ask
"Can you put it on?"
"Sure I can,"
He replies, the confident artist
The paperwork, the money, and soon the time is at hand.
The anticipation, my friends gather to watch.
The artist puts his hands to my back as I
Separate
          mind
                    from
                                        body

Swarm of bees in my ear
Landing
Stinging
Inject the venom
Draw the stinger down
Pierce my skin again and again
And it is over
And I
                                        Bring
                    my
          mind
back.

I get up and look in the mirror.
I am a walking canvas, art come to life
"Is that blood or ink?" a friend asks
"Both."


                                          S.D.  2/26/96