Black and grey realism tattoo of an open compass with the words Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, surrounded by daisy, bell-shaped and holly flowers, on the side of the torso.

Compass, flowers and quote in grey realism

Realism · Ribs · Black and grey · Photo

An open pocket compass sits at the centre, its lid engraved with the script Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. A daisy-style flower, bell-shaped blooms and holly leaves with berries surround it, with a ribbon curling along the bottom. The shading is smooth and soft, with fine detail on the compass face and petals, and the design fills the frame with a diagonal arrangement.

Realism Botanical Ribs Compass Quote Script Daisy Flower Berry Ribbon

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A story inspired by this tattoo · fiction

Tom, the compass is on the kitchen table where you left it, and I have been turning it over all evening while the rain works at the window. The engraving has worn soft at the edges since Dad had it done in Carlisle, but you can still read the lid if you tilt it to the lamp: Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. He thought it was soppy. You know he did.

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I found snowdrops by the gate this morning, three of them, the first this year, so I have pressed one into this letter so you'll have something green in the city. The lily of the valley under the hedge is still a month off. Mum says the holly will be heavy with berries by Christmas if the blackbirds leave it alone. Nothing much changes here, which I suppose is the point of it.

Your train gets into Glasgow Central at ten past eleven, because you read me the timetable twice. Don't stand on the platform looking for the lights. Walk out past the station hotel and keep the river on your left until you reach the bridge, and if you lose your way, use the compass. The needle still sticks a little at north. Give it a tap, the way Dad did.

I've put the daisy in too, the one from the verge by the chapel, flat and brown now but still the same shape. Write when you've found a room. I'll be at this table with the lamp on, reading the lid again.