Nature is impermanent, and so our bodies are inherently impermanent things. Despite our internal homeostatic mechanisms that serve to maintain a physiological balance (that can easily be disrupted), our bodies are in a constant state of flux. So are our thoughts, feelings and desires – all those metaphysical things that make us who we are. We are a new person each day on some level though we may not notice the changes, and yet sometimes we choose to impose the illusion of permanence on our bodies by various means.

I am interested in tattoos, how they allow us to embed a semi-permanent snapshot of our ever-changing selves in a physical, prominent, and intimate form. The following individuals have generously shared with me the stories behind their tattoos and reflected on their past and present selves. In response, I have worked with them to create short poems to represent where they are at this point in their lives. After they have chosen the location of their poem, I have provided them with a custom temporary tattoo of it.

Here is a gallery of snapshots of these individuals through the lens of their bodies and time.