The 3rd online magazine DIY tattoo ‘How To…’ I’ve seen now. Like how this one is actually more of a fashion editorial. Actually, do I like that? Can’t make my mind up.

Photo by Tom Beard.

It’s been too hot in London these past days. I’m hoping this morning’s weather warning means we get stormed on before the sun sets. But the crane’s facing the other way! What does the bird mean? Deus Ex Machina or what!? If only I knew how to use this information to my advantage.

The Collector.

When did you have the first done?

‘I remember the date because I had it done on a special date so I’d remember it. It was January the 1st 1971. At Ben Gunn’s. You had to argue at Ben Gunn’s’.

‘I really want that one there’.

‘Nah, that’s too big.  It’s your first one, you can’t have that, it’s too big’, he said, ‘I’ll do you a nice panther’s head’.

I said, ‘I don’t want a panther’s head’.

People warned me: ‘He’ll try and get you to have a panther’s head’.

I got it done eventually.

(More for SB5)

Today I said goodbye to my conflicted goddess
Her lush eyes show surprise
At how we could gather knowledge
The painting has a dream
Where shadow breaks the scene
And the colors run off
Blue is bashful, green is my goal
Yellow girls are running backward
Until the next time, with six hits of sunshine
The lights will blind us with blues in haiku
The shadow has a dream
Where painters look to sea
And colors burn out
Now I know where I once saw you
Stepping into muddy water
John’s reflection decried perfection
Now you walk him through the garden
Waiting in the wings
Painters shade their dreams
With falling colors
See me wave goodbye forever
Happiness the goddess lover
Hurry back remember last time
The hits of sunshine, the hits of goldmine
I’ll see you back tonight
Where painters love the light
And yellow shadow girls
Today I say goodbye to my complicious goddess
Her hushed eyes show surprise
At how we captured knowledge
I’ll see you back tonight
Where shadows dream of light
Let’s slip on outside
Sonic Youth – Hits of Sunshine (For Allen Ginsberg) appears on the album A Thousand Leaves.