Mana Monologue

In the essay by Leslie Jamison, “Mark My Words, Maybe” She communicates to her audience about getting this tattoo to represent a new era for her after an emotional breakup. The tattoo being “homo sum: humani nil a me alienum puto” or in English translation, “I am human: nothing human is alien to me.” Jamison talks about how she felt as deserving as any other for the pain that she has felt during the relationship. As the essay reads on, Jamison deals with the conflict of interest from others based on the meaning of her tattoo. She also goes about her thought process for finding the true meaning of her tattoo.

Throughout the piece people approach Jamison inquiring about the tattoo and each time giving a response that she doesn’t want. Whenever she explains the translation of the tattoo, the inquirer immediately questions the motives behind it and gets offended by her claim to understand humanity and understand everything that is wrong in the world (Jamison 459). Except, they don’t know what Jamison has been through and don’t understand the personal meaning it holds. Although it wasn’t her initial intention, Jamison learns to accept the attention she receives from it. She explains that the purpose of her tattoo is to attract attention, be aspirational, and cause admiration. But, she also claims that it also serves the purpose of the opposite of all of those things (Jamison 460). Jamison tells this story to demonstrate the significance and symbolism of a tattoo and how a simple phrase can mean so much more about a person’s identity and how it represents people.

The word “tattoo” is actually the combination of words from two different cultures. The Polynesian word to strike something, “ta”, and the Tahitian word meaning to mark something, “tatau” (Designboom, 2010). The form of body art known as tattooing has developed artistically, improved technically, and changed stylistically throughout the past two centuries. Not only has the public perception changed over the years, but the methods and machinery used to create these wonderful pieces of art has also changed drastically. Once viewed as only acceptable for sailors, criminals, and circus performers; tattoos, have taken a giant leap from their humble roots. However, they couldn’t have become as popular as they have without the inspirational

I’m ready to fight i tried telling myself, but I’m not until I turn on my music but now I think that it is distracting me. Let's do this, it’s now or never. “For Skyrim” I yell.

uncertainty wherein the tattoo serves as both silent witness and lucky charm. Yet sailors and navel men have long applied symbols to their bodies, in an almost magical way, to guide their vessels and protect themselves, to

to accept it, this is my eternity, i'd stay here forever and ever. I guess this is it, my whole life and it's all wasted. I wonder if I could have done anything different, maybe be kinder, give to the poor, I don't know. I'll never get married or have children.

When the Evil Queen, in full Enchanted-Forest-esque get up, whirls into her empty Sheriff's office, Emma tries not to blink. She hadn't felt easy about Regina destroying... Regina... And it didn't look like the heart-crushing stuck this time – if the Queen staring at her was any indication.

There are multiple reasons for individuals to tattoo their bodies and the reasons are usually individualistic and subjective. The experience of being tattooed is intricately bound up with one’s character,

stories. Not always she was willing to tell one of them, but, fortunately, this was not one of those nights. She asked everyone to come closer and showed them one of her tattoos, on a spot on her left shoulder, usually hidden by her long black hair.

Once upon a time in waverly ohio with a friend of mine named George. And we where at his house playing “ Elder Scrolls “ we stopped and all the sudden he says

On his right arm sat a magic eight ball that he’d gotten back in the 80’s during his coke years. On his left, an iconic female skeleton with her flowing, long brown hair. Atop her head she wore a crown of thorns entwined with roses. The image appeared common among deadhead circles. Sadly though, both tattoos having withered over time, were now nothing more than a couple of large green blotches, barely recognizable.

I headed out to the water after setting up my towel. The shock of the frigid water took my breath away and I was momentarily stunned. However, I quickly recovered; finding my body adjusts rapidly to the cold water. I waded a few feet into it before leaning forward and swimming out. I didn't dare to go too far though, instead turning to swim parallel to the shore. I was comforted by the sounds of the ocean; the rhythmic pounding of the waves represses all of my worries. I looked into the cloudless cerulean blue sky and see the perfection of life. Just when I was starting to get tired and wanted to go back to the shore, I saw something.

“Aloha i ka honua Kulana Ailani Kai ”. My name literally means famed chief from water and for as long as I can remember, I always adored the ocean and was drawn to it at an early age. It was my calling and I knew it. The bright, deadly ocean was home. The smell of saltiness brings me a sense of everlasting serenity. Looking at the gentle currents engages me even more. How can it be that something so beautiful can be disastrous? A grand ocean so fascinating yet genuinely frightening is exciting. To be able to control my movements against the powerful waves of nature is exhilaration at its finest. To control how I use the wave, to be in control brings a triumph emotion every time.

Just as I sit down on the sand my mind starts to unwind. The many spectacular sights jump at my eyes. As far as I can see there is turquoise water in front of me. Surfers wearing their bright colored suits grab their

The sun’s rays glisten across the water as my family and I lie on the golden sands of the beach to relax. Seagulls and other families are scattered around us along the length of the beach. My mom, my sister, and I lie next to each other, listening to the waves crashing against the ocean bank.