My birthmark tis a vine,
a creeping cover growing outward from the inside
Red and purple blooms do adorn
the stained trunk and stem
with which I was born
Imprinted on the earth, which is my skin
A tattoo drawn by Mother Nature's own hand
Unknown is its beginning, unknown its end
Blood thirsty capillaries
Rooted deeply and roaming free
Savage they can be
Encroaching onto otherwise lovely faces
And devour them they do, in most cases
Yet, brilliant in design, vibrant in color
Sprinkled with patches of strawberry wonder
Threatened but not stopped by cold, heat, and removal
Rarely meeting with strangers approval
Yet, this tattoo of mine
is sweet yet sour,
like elegant wine
This beauty with a curse to give
Not by force but by will
Shall remain for as long as I live
A part of me, I refuse to kill.
