the tigers have found me
225 days under grass
and you know more than I.
they have long taken your blood,
you are a dry stick in a basket.
is this how it works?
in this room
the hours of love
still make shadows.
when you left
you took almost
everything.
I kneel in the nights
before tigers
that will not let me be.
what you were
will not happen again.
the tigers have found me
and I do not care.
- "For Jane" by Charles Bukowski
Amanda got this tattoo after her mother died of cancer, 5 years ago this past memorial day:
Of all the poems I have read about loss, this one, to me, is the most subtle, the most striking, and the closest thing to describing grief I have come across. I got these lines done to commemorate both her memorial, as well as for the open ended nature of the quote itself. I figure the tigers can mean any sort of adversity, and to not care can be either a submission, or a lack of fear. Because of this, the quote reminds me that it's ok to feel pain, as well as that it can be met with resilience, and even a sense of detachment, which is essential for forward momentum in life.
They were done by Aron Mathews of 7th Street Tattoo in Little Rock, AR.
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July 30th, 2009 - 13:32
I love Bukowski. Also, this quote is incredibly meaningful to me. It's beautiful.
July 30th, 2009 - 21:03
so good. so sad. so strong.
i really really love it.
July 31st, 2009 - 06:54
Love the font, the placement, the meaning and the quote (as the poem).
Excellent tattoo, honestly!
August 2nd, 2009 - 16:10
This is the first tattoo on here that has compelled me to comment. Bukowski rocks so hard. As does this tattoo. The meaning is beautiful, so is the placement and font you choose. Grade A stuff right here.
September 18th, 2009 - 20:56
Lemme guess, you are an avid cyclist, work in a coffee shop and wear black framed glasses. While I appreciate Bukowski’s work, I cringe at the hipster scene, of which literary tattoos (a good idea really) have become a trademark for, oh yeah, don’t forget the handlebar-moustache-on-the-index-finger tattoo also.
September 19th, 2009 - 11:30
Cool! I have the exact same USB drive! Same color too.
December 4th, 2009 - 14:45
Way to be a douchebag "DougTheBug"! Good job and brilliant screenname (INSERT HEAVY SARCASM).
December 4th, 2009 - 14:46
Oh, I forgot to add-Love the tattoo and Bukowski!
January 23rd, 2010 - 09:34
I really liked this quote when I saw it here, so I ordered The Days Run Away Like Wild Horses Over the Hills to become acquainted with Bukowski. Read them all over the course of two nights, great stuff. Great tattoo.
June 21st, 2010 - 06:08
i love this poemm too… it's definitely one of my favourites. I was thinking of getting "in this room
the hours of love
still make shadows."
im not completely sure yet.. but awesome tat.!
April 27th, 2013 - 07:58
It’s a really meaningful quote :)
January 25th, 2011 - 03:52
Beautiful tatt and profound. Sadly I understand your motivation to get this, for similar reasons…
June 23rd, 2011 - 21:45
I had never heard of Charles Bukowski until I stumbled on this page – I instantly felt connected to the poem, to the last two lines. I'm going to get it as my first tattoo, but in white, I want it just for myself to see. Thank you. Thank you! It's so beautiful! :)
December 28th, 2011 - 23:12
yes.
January 25th, 2012 - 23:14
Beautiful