alisonlittleblog

https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-4000887400212447

The Eternal I, written by Alison Little, is the latest flash fiction works from Alison Little and a striking new piece of contemporary micro-literature responding directly to the Errant Muse exhibition held at the Victoria Gallery & Museum in Liverpool. Inspired by the visual language of the exhibition and its interrogation of identity, self-presentation and cultural value, The Eternal I explores ego, image and the commodification of the body through a sharply observed, intimate narrative voice. This flash fiction work positions Alison Little as a compelling voice in contemporary short form writing, blending literary storytelling with exhibition-led creative practice at one of Liverpool’s leading cultural venues.

Explicit content warning

Searching for a beautiful notebook to write your own work in? Discover the Clifton collection from Papersmiths.

The Eternal I

I am the all.
I am the only.
I am an example, framed for others to follow.

I am what matters.

In the mirror: average height, pleasant features, nothing that would survive memory. A face built daily—foundation over doubt, powder over pulse. Lipstick sealed tight, drinks lifted through a straw, as if desire itself were fragile.

My hair obeys instruction. Off-centre part. Approved length. Bleached into obedience, roots erased weekly. Heat, set, preserve. A small discipline for a larger illusion.

My body was edited where it counted. Bigger, I told the consultant. More. Thousands spent to refine gravity itself. The chest arrives before I do, announces me, negotiates for me. It enters rooms first. It leans forward. It speaks without language.

Eyes follow. Power follows.

Below that curated horizon, I am reduced to outline. Black fabric tightens the truth away. I speak often, but only of myself. There is no room for family, only orbit. Colleagues blur into background noise. Lovers come and go like props, never interrupting the performance.

Intimacy is something scheduled, something survived. I lie still and efficient, a body fulfilling its brief. My wanting is irrelevant. Completion is someone else’s.

I am ego-centric to the core.
I am my own exhibit.
I am an acquisition.

I am my cleavage locator.
I am my advertising space.
I am my breasts.

I am only my breasts.

And the rest of me
stands quietly behind them,
waiting to be seen.

Further reading & creative resources

The Creative Writing Masterclass is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to develop their skills in flash fiction.

The Art of Self Invention is a compelling read for anyone who wants to explore questions of body image, identity, and self-presentation in greater depth.

Looking for more stories in a similar vein? Contemporary Feminism and Women’s Short Stories brings together fresh voices and perspectives that echo many of the themes explored in The Eternal I.

The Errant Muse at the Victoria Museum & Gallery, Liverpool.

This article contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase — at no extra cost to you.