Ashe is the author of two books of poetry: Wrong Side of a Fistfight and Belly of the Beast. She is a recent graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University and fresh off her first poetry tour with her best friend, Jordan Hamilton. Ashe is a very tiny person with very tiny hands and a whole lot to say about it.
Why is poetry important?
One of the things that I think is the most amazing thing about poetry is that it gives a voice to the voiceless. You go to a poetry slam and you hear all of these points of view that are getting silence by mass media. Here, minorities and oppressed communities have words that ring loud and clear and they all share a stage.
What makes a good poem?
Honesty and immediacy. As an audience member, you can see the difference between a poem about something that vaguely interests a poet verses a poem about something that truly affects them. It takes a lot of courage to write and perform such personal things and to have that vulnerability, but it makes for such good poetry.
What inspires you?
Everything. I wrote a poem about a dog on the side of the highway, the other day.
Who are some of your favorite poets?
Richard Siken, Bill Moran, Caitlyn Siehl, Clementine Von Radics
What made you want to become a poet?
I’ve been writing my whole life, but when I got into college I had such a busy schedule, I didn’t really have time for long forms of writing. Poetry allowed me to continue writing and to feel accomplished without having to hash out a hundred page manuscript.
Where is your favorite place to write and why?
I usually write in my room. I’m a homebody and my room is a very cozy, safe space.
What are you reading right now?
Trista Mateer’s second book of poetry, “The Dogs I Have Kissed”–one of the best books of poetry I’ve ever read.
What advice do you have for aspiring poets?
Give yourself permission to write bad poetry. Spend less time picking your work apart and more time writing. You are learning every step of the way; not every poem will be a goldmine and that’s okay
