Secrets in Ink

she sat at the table with
family all around

they scoffed at her piercings
they rebuked her tattoos
he said he would rip them out
he said he would burn the ink off

she sat at the table with
a silent family all around
her eyes looked back at him
before she got up from the table

she entered her room
angry tears in her eyes
none of them stood up
none of them backed her.

she packed her belongings
in a hurried rush
as the door opened
and shut again

her pious aunt stood before her
and asked 'you alright?'
she looked through blurred vision
and said 'i'll be fine.'

her aunt took her pants
and pulled them down some
to reveal a tiny hummingbird
in ink on her backside

curious eyes lead their way
to her aunt's
she would be the last one
to get a tattoo!

her aunt reassured her
that it was alright
to not let them speak
for our actions are ours.

the hummingbird meant nothing
it was a young foolish act
but she envied her niece's
as it meant something more

a smile goes a long way
as does a secret between family
our actions follow us
and show us our past.

never regret
and never explain.