Sore Spirits and other stories by Ashlie Allen
Sore spirits The reservation spirits are sore again. They need our energy. Mom locks the door, useless as it is. We can hear them crying as they stagger towards the porch, [...]
ashlie allen
A Thing From Spain by Ashlie Allen
They know I am not fluent in English, but still approach me. “Why are your eyes so black? Why do you look like you’ve been in the sun all your life?” My mother told me [...]
Sloppy Brain by Ashlie Allen
I’m not a ghost, but you touch me as if you can’t feel anything, expression absent of fascination, hands still like there is no meaning to my skin. I shiver a lot because [...]
Stomach language by Ashlie Allen
I don’t want to sit down. My stomach is roaring, but my mind is roaring louder. “Don’t go close to them. They think you’re weird.” Carrying my books, I flee to the [...]
Black Clot by Ashlie Allen
My hair did not like its saffron color, so it turned black and broke off. I tried to condition it with organic oils and fruit, but it still had a temper. Sometimes when I cry [...]
Pollen for the un-buried monster by Ashlie Allen
Grandma sat on the steps with me, not to spend time but to show me mercy. “You stink, little man.” she coughed. “Are there a lot of bugs on me?” I asked. “Yes, but [...]
Mind Herbs by Ashlie Allen
He brought me herbs, though I was not sick in the body. No one could see where the illness lived except him. First, he stuffed the herbs inside my brain, then his hands. It [...]
My Empty Stomach by Ashlie Allen
I am too dizzy to eat, though the lemon cake smells good. She made it for me because she knows I am sad. We will argue when she finds me in here, a bit lifeless, though I [...]
All types of powerlessness by Ashlie Allen
I like when I get dizzy and feel like talking about my misery after drinking. I can admit I am suicidal and laugh about it. Sometimes I try to crawl, just to prove to myself [...]
Radio Truth by Ashlie Allen
Dad twitches in his sleep, afraid he’s really on the reservation. I keep the radio on, too sad and hungry to sleep. If I was lighter and happy faced, someone might pity [...]
Dying to Leave by Ashlie Allen
I made sure everyone was asleep before I tried again. I had nothing to carry just the weight of uncertainty. No one knew how miserable I was here. The reservation was my home [...]
Vending Machine Press 