villanelle

I got my tattoo without you, but it
did notchange me - the needle buzzed the same.
It hurt my breast, but pain just seemed to fit.

I missed you there. The thought of you just bit
into my pulse and made me blush with shame.
I got my tattoo without you, know it.

You don't have time for me, you say, and bit
by bit I know. Alone, my heart went lame
and hurt my breast, but pain just seemed to fit.

The chair held me the way your arms had quit
around my waist, your heart had quit its flame.
I got my tattoo without you, damn it.

You'd promised me so long ago you'd sit
by me today, but dreams of you inflame
me, hurt my breast. The pain just seems to fit.

I took the loss of you at once, a hit
upon my chest, and no, you never came.
I got my tattoo without you, and it
hurt my breast too. The pain just fit.