ASHLEY SWANSON - POEMS

Ashley Swanson has an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Though originally from Arizona, she currently lives in Iowa, where she teaches writing at William Penn University. When not teaching, reading, or writing, she likes to spend time with her husband (Josh), daughter (Grace), and dog (Wiley). Her work has been published in Midwestern Gothic, 50 Haikus, and Penn & Ink. You can follow her on Twitter at: @AshQSwanson

                                         Perspective
 

The professor carries a cup to class.
Am I half empty or half full?
chalked across blue plastic.
Classes carry on. Still,
I don’t know.
cannot see inside.
do not know the answers.
keep coming, searching
for a sign of what’s inside
Am I half empty or half full?
Will we ever know?
 

                                              Tinge
 
 
I like to think I’m Orange.
Vibrant, distinct, fresh
peeled clementine in the afternoon
but not always so sweet
darker too, deeper
burnt orange, terracotta. Dust
kicked up by wild hooves mingling
at desert’s dusk
I’d like to think I’m that, but
I’m really the color of cheddar cheese
not even the sharp stuff
that leaves its mark on your tongue
more predictable
mild cheddar
Mac ‘n Cheese orange
Goldfish cracker orange
But it’s okay
My daughter loves those things.
 

                                           Shine
 
Sparkle, my dear.
Shine with the heat of all
that you are
Exude radiance
Glitter falls around you
                      a Christmas snowglobe
                                                                You,
                                                                          Shake the world.