Rag Doll

Written By Ashley Cummings

A woman is a rag doll,

A play thing

Created to clean and entertain.

Her life is not her own

No matter what she chooses,

She must keep one hand behind her back-

For if she fully commits to any one thing 

She will be made a fool of.

She will be used up 

And discarded

And it will be her fault.

Her body is not her own;

It is a vessel

For life or pleasure -

Whatever she chooses 

Will be her fault.

Whether she fully clothes;

To cover and hide it

Or whether she proudly 

Bares the skin of her body,

Whatever happens to it 

Will be her fault.

A woman cannot exist

And 

find peace.

Ashley Cummings

Ashley Cummings is a Raleigh-based poet, artist, and founder of Woman Unraveled, and Curl + Co Hairstyling. A lifelong creative, her work lives at the intersection of beauty, intuition, and personal growth. Whether through words, visual art, or sculptural hairstyling, Ashley explores the quiet courage it takes to follow one’s inner voice and build a life rooted in authenticity.

Her professional journey spans nearly a decade in salon leadership and education, including advanced training at Bumble & Bumble University in New York City. Today, she leads her own bridal styling brand while raising two sons — shaping a career that honors both artistry and intentional living.

Ashley writes from lived experience — about anxiety and growth, motherhood and identity, creativity and becoming. Her voice is reflective yet grounded, gentle but honest. At her core, she believes that beauty is not about perfection, but about expression — and that healing begins the moment we stop performing and start listening to ourselves.

Check out Ashley’s businesses!
Woman Unraveled & Curl + Co

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