Sebastian Matthews

Sebastian Matthews is a writer and collagist living in Asheville. He teaches creative writing for the Great Smokies Writing Program. His third collection of poetry, Beginner's Guide to a Head-On Collision, is due out this fall from Red Hen Press.

Latest posts from Sebastian Matthews

Body/Mind … On the Chattanooga Bridge, Chattanooga, TN
There is a parade of bodies thronging the bridge, each body bathed on one side by sun glaze. No one is in a rush. No one on his or her cell. So the body keeps walking, off the bridge and into the city, while the mind takes snapshots inside the massive tombstones of commerce it floats through.
Useless
“I’m just joking,” I say. “I’m the one who’s useless.”
No Trespassing
The wood the young man has delivered is perfectly cut for the pot. The lawns trimmed to fairway length. I hate these kind of places. And, despite myself, I feel at ease in them.
Blind Spot
My first inclination was to shake my head and walk away. But something told me to give him a chance. So I stared a little longer. He didn’t look like a serial killer.
White Men in Trucks
Is it imminent threat sounding in the revved engine? Derision caught in side-view mirror snapshot? Or plain old disdain drumming its fingers on the drivers’ side door?
Fence
At the recent downtown protest two different factions ended up squabbling with one another.
Her Hair
The woman looked into the windows as if shopping. I could have been out with my mother on an afternoon stroll. She stopped. “This!” she pointed at the window of a hair salon. Her face lit up.
Invisible
It was eight in the morning, we were in line at Whole Foods, and the guy was wearing sunglasses.
Dog Park
A few more back and forths like this and I realize I’m the only White person who will join this Black couple—outsiders twice over—and that the larger group keeps their distance.
Waterpark
Earlier this morning, the shuttles were full of employees; the halls empty. Now we’re in full swing. I wait at the bar for an overpriced beer. The boys have joined the line for the Vortex, egging each other past their cartoon fear.
Living Large
The wind is so persistent up here the seagulls float in place above the tables, wings flapping as if in flight, making little dives at tossed tortilla chips.
Highlands
Snapshots from a mountain town.
Determined
Lately I’ve come to believe she never stops walking, like the mythical shark that can never rest.
Swimming Hole
It's almost summertime, and that means it's time to visit a swimming hole.
Falafel 5K
Musings while monitoring the Falafel 5K.
Home Depot
Race at the Home Depot.
LEAF Moon
Camping at LEAF