I recently discovered Contrariwise: Literary Tattoos, a website that shows literary tattoos people have had inked on their bodies. A tattoo is not something I’m interested in for myself but I do find them interesting and the reasons people get them interesting. I like the one above particularly because it’s from the poem “Antilamentation” by Dorianne Laux, one of my favorite poets and poems. It’s a beautiful  and honest line and a poem all by itself.  I also like the placement of the design because I like the idea of a tattoo being hidden and only revealed to a select few. Heavily tattooed bodies bombard my eyes – I don’t know where to look and, honestly, I don’t want to look close enough to distinguish all the parts. Simple tattoos are lovely in their spareness, in their simplicity. IMO.

The one below is great too because it’s from one of my favorite books, Margaret Atwood”s The Handmaid’s Tale. Again, besides the quote I love the placement and simplicity. The font is actually this woman’s best friends’ handwriting. That’s cool.

“Don’t let the bastards get you down.”