http://ashleywrites.org about life, death, and everything else Wed, 17 Jan 2007 01:45:50 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Hi! I'd recommend viewing the 'About Ashley' page before proceeding to the other posts- but for you impatient souls... All of the posts here are sorted into three different categories: 1. Poetry 2. Short Stories 3. Novel Excerpts You can find selections for each style after clicking on the link on the right hand side of ... http://ashleywrites.org/2006/11/21/who-is-this-girl-ashley-anyway/ Following is an excerpt from my first chapter in my novel titled Ballad for the Lost Romantics. Ballad for the Lost Romantics It is with a surprisingly sentimental heart that I write these last words.  No, you saw correctly, friends, I did indeed write ‘last.’  After a solid eight months of ... http://ashleywrites.org/2006/12/08/ballad-for-the-lost-romantics/ When I was Young Once when I was young I went for a ride on a plane And I stopped believing. For where else can Heaven be If not on the tops of clouds? A kingdom that vast, Cannot be invisible. Angels are not cruel enough to hide. Where did the castle made of clouds And miracles go? Was it ever ... http://ashleywrites.org/2006/11/21/when-i-was-young/ Forbidden Fruit In my neighbor's yard there grows a tree It stands alone in an ocean of green Like a siren of the sea, she beckons me, "Forbidden fruit is the sweetest, you'll see." Tempting visions swirl in my head Of juicy fruit in tangerine red Deep in my heart it planted a seed I yearn for the ... http://ashleywrites.org/2006/11/21/forbidden-fruit/ You Dream of Dancing As your head hits the pillow When you're not quite awake, The moment your eyes shut In the instant sleep takes. Hidden within a memory, Lurking in back of a dream Forgotten in a land of fantasy- Where nothing is as it seems. He lingers in the corner, Unseen but always present. You feel his eyes upon ... http://ashleywrites.org/2006/11/21/you-dream-of-dancing/ Dancing with Dead Leaves (formerly, A Day to Remember) I'll never forget- The feel of the grass, freshly cut, Curled around bare toes Or the sun Kissing my cheeks, burning Eyes watered with the truth Of fallen tears. With the scent of the air Like the sea in winter, Biting cold, stinging my face Weaving through hair Dancing with dead leaves. It made me ... http://ashleywrites.org/2006/11/21/a-day-to-remember/ Dead Names and Broken Smiles She stares up at her bedroom ceiling. In an attempt to distract her troubled mind she connects the pin-hole dots above her like she does when gazing up at the stars. Her tired eyes roam over a brown spot in the left corner of the ceiling ... http://ashleywrites.org/2006/11/18/dead-names-and-broken-smiles/ Memories of the Ocean The ocean; he reminds me of the ocean. I’ve lost count of the nights I spend lying awake, my cheek resting on my light blue sheets, wishing that they were his cotton button-down shirt. His pale lunar skin makes me think of the moonlight and his dark ... http://ashleywrites.org/2006/11/18/memories-of-the-ocean/ Dinosaur Hills The hills are giant dinosaurs Lain to sleep- Dirt and time, Their bed and blanket. Time passes… Men build homes on their backs, Lay pools over their heads, And walk down their spines. But what will happen When the dinosaur awakens, Yawns, then shivers? http://ashleywrites.org/2006/11/18/dinosaur-hills/ Late Night Interrogations “What were you like as a boy?” “Shorter,” the father answers. “What were you like as a baby?” the child asks. “Loud.” “What were you like in school?” The father tucks the yellow blanket Around his son. “Smart.” The son twists, kicking the blanket off With his red footed pajamas. “What were you like when you met mommy?” “Stupid,” he ... http://ashleywrites.org/2006/11/18/late-night-interrogations/