Three Poems, by Ashley "Ash" Chavez

A Day in the Life of a Witch in December
--
morning
frosty breaths in the tranquil morning
the thump of boots on pavement, and the crunch of them on snow-covered grass
a small woven bag in a pocket, encompassing a garnet and a sunstone
fingerless gloves, and being caressed by wind’s sweet, honeyed song

afternoon
a gentle kiss on the face by the sun, who miraculously found his way out through the nearly opaque clouds
white tea stirred clockwise, tarot cards spread on the coffee table, and the pleasant sound of soft jazz.
watering and pruning the plants of the house

evening
cerulean nights under a pearl moon
decaf coffee, braided hair, and crystals resting on the windowsill
a lit flame dancing atop a green candle
serendipity

---

Found Family
--
Blood is vital to live, that I will admit.
Blood is the reason I am here at present, and for that I am grateful.

But I don't like the way Blood stains- it lies.
It first appears as a bright vermillion, yet fades to a dull brown.
I am here because of Blood, but certainly do not want to see it.

And I don’t like the taste of Blood, it’s bitter, and coppery, and... old.
I am here because of Blood, but I certainly do not want to taste it.

Maybe the things I do like
Such as Dandelions, and The Moon, and the way Jewelry catches in the Sunlight
Maybe they aren’t vital to live
But they are certainly nicer to see
​
And maybe
Honey, and Licorice, and Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Maybe they aren’t why I’m here
But they certainly taste a lot better

---

Poem III
--
look at everything

look at the patterns in the bark of the trees and look at the footprints in the mud
look at the children’s shoe on the side of the road and wonder what screaming kid threw it out the window
look at the barista’s handwriting on the side of your morning coffee
look at which books in the library are most tattered, as those are the most loved.
you're never too old to look for shapes in the clouds, or for roly polies under rocks
you’re never too busy to peer out of a window just to simply see what it looks like out there
​
look at everything
to look is to live

Ashley ‘Ash’ Chavez (They/Them) is an actor, writer, and college student studying Acting and Stage Management, based in the suburbs of Chicago. Ashley loves writing in their free time and has had previous poetry and artwork published in Northwind Literary Magazine (2021/2022). When Ashley isn’t onstage or working behind the scenes of a show, you can find them curled up with a Fantasy or Romance novel, with either hard rock or soft indie music in their headphones.