Shallow Grave

Written By Ashley Cummings

I fell back into the void,

again.

Slipped right down,

Like a snow cone melting-

Crawling down your arm

and onto the ground.

You didn’t even notice

When I started to disappear

Like a ghost I became hollow

And more present there

than here.

You’re so surprised now 

By how little you can reach me,

But I’ve been gone for ages, since last

October when you deceived me.

I don’t think I’m coming out

Of this hole that you dug

Feels like I’m settled in,

Warm and snug.

As women we watch our husbands

Slowly dig our graves 

And they act surprised when we fall in,

One seemingly random day. 

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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