Contrariwise: Literary Tattoos
The original literary tattoo blog! Over 600 tattoos from books, poetry, music, and other sources.
This is Laura’s tattoo.
I just got my Maya Angelou tattoo yesterday. It says:
“I did then what I knew how to do.
Now that I know better, I do better.”
It’s a reminder to myself not to beat myself up over what’s happened in the past…because what’s done is done, and I’ve learned from it. Thinking back and going “what if” is unreasonable, because I didn’t know then what I know now. I continue on, and keep on learning every day.
This is Lindsay‘s tattoo.
When I was in sixth grade, I discovered Maya Angelou, and it would prove to be the greatest discovery of my life. I read her poetry, her autobiographical series, and just about anything I could get my hands on. Maya Angelou introduced me to a world of literature that I immersed myself in. I made new friends, and went on new adventures, but this time, they existed in the pages of a book. Ms. Angelou means a lot to me, and her writing is part of the reason I study English today at my university. Words have the power to change lives, if you let them.
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
– Excerpt from “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou. Read the whole poem here.