Talking about your tattoos in a loud auditorium

They called it gold

this precious object that won them

(what)

self-respect 

and a chance at the eternal. 

She shares pictures;

one wrapped around her neck, 

two across her arm,

the finale... dripping,

melts luxuriously down her calf. 

A claim to life. A stake in flesh. 

Hers. 

This way to pin down the flesh

as if to pin down

life itself.