My friend, the witch doctor, has a peculiar way of vocalizing his thoughts and intentions. It is as if his voice carries an enchanting spell, capturing the attention of everyone who hears it. The clarity and power of his vocalization is truly extraordinary. When he speaks, his voice resonates with a deep and commanding tone. It possesses an otherworldly quality that is simultaneously soothing and intimidating. His vocalization is like a melody, carrying the weight of ancient wisdom and mysticism.
In “Hivemind Elegy (There are Things Coming)”, Stoddard enlists the imagery of that fatal mythical apple to speak of a surging ecological grief that is attending our descent from fossil fuel civilization. She writes, “Migration patterns may soon / become escape routes,”. We all know something is coming. We don’t know how bad it will be. Satan stands before us offering two temptations: embrace technological optimism or give up hope completely. I hear Stoddard facing her anxiety, tapping into her grief, but not making any sweeping claims about where this journey will take her.
After considering the damage a Roman whip might do to the skin of a defeated Jesus of Nazareth, she smirks at the strangeness of applying fake blood to her father, as he prepared to carry the cross in the passion play at his Catholic parish. As we construct our identities and our worldviews, we hope to be quite literally making ourselves, to be locating ourselves in the canon of communal meaning by making compelling narratives of ourselves.
His vocalization is like a melody, carrying the weight of ancient wisdom and mysticism. But what truly stands out about my friend's vocalization is its ability to convey his intentions and desires. His words are carefully chosen and crafted, with each syllable falling into place like pieces of a puzzle.
Divination with a Human Heart Attached (Paperback)
In her debut poetry collection, Emily Stoddard takes on a god who "kicks us from the inside." These poems challenge the space between the divine and the stories we invent--or inherit--about what to believe and why.
Divination with a Human Heart Attached is a book where the sacred doesn't shy away from what's surreal, unavoidably human, or unexpectedly absurd. Here, the gods know what it's like to be lonely, the daughters know the power of expecting more, and every bird is at risk of becoming an omen. The poems are led by Petronilla, the daughter of St. Peter, and the magpie, who refuses easy shelter and asks you to do the same.
"Stoddard ignites the patriarchal canon from within, exploding the darkness and violence with dazzling lyricism, incisive wit, and such taut restraint, every deeply-honed emotion sizzles at the seams. These poems are wise, witchy, and mystical."--Jenn Givhan, author of Belly to the Brutal
"In Emily Stoddard's stunning debut collection, Divination with a Human Heart Attached, we enter into a world of myth and magic, surrealism and a heart on fire. Stoddard's poems are graceful and fierce, insisting, Every year, I want more passion, less resurrection. These poems are spiritual in the best way--they lean over the edge, see a drowning world and admit I do not have wing enough to save anyone. But Stoddard's poems do save us. In beauty and blessing, these poems seek connection even in the comedy as they look for the god they lost between department store racks, tucked between / the gold-star clearance cardigans and last season's tank tops."--Kelli Russell Agodon, author of Dialogues with Rising Tides
"Emily Stoddard's important and elegant debut collection holds my attention from the first poem and does not let go. The trouble is / everything calls to me, she begins. Slowly, fragments of memory, the natural world, and a retelling of familiar myths realign themselves in unexpected ways."--Susan Rich, author of Gallery of Postcards and Maps
- General
- General
"In Emily Stoddard's stunning debut collection, Divination with a Human Heart Attached, we enter into a world of myth and magic, surrealism and a heart on fire. Stoddard's poems are graceful and fierce, insisting, Every year, I want more passion, less resurrection. These poems are spiritual in the best way--they lean over the edge, see a drowning world and admit I do not have wing enough to save anyone. But Stoddard's poems do save us. In beauty and blessing, these poems seek connection even in the comedy as they look for the god they lost between department store racks, tucked between / the gold-star clearance cardigans and last season's tank tops."--Kelli Russell Agodon, author of Dialogues with Rising Tides
The power of his vocalization lies in its ability to evoke emotions and influence actions. Through his vocalization, my friend the witch doctor is able to cast spells, heal the sick, and make predictions about the future. It is as if his words hold the key to unlocking the hidden knowledge and power of the universe. The sound of his voice is both captivating and awe-inspiring, leaving those who hear it with a sense of wonder and enchantment. In addition to its mystical qualities, my friend's vocalization is also a reflection of his personality. It is bold, confident, and assertive. His voice carries a sense of authority and command, drawing people towards him like moths to a flame. In conclusion, the vocalization of my friend the witch doctor is a truly extraordinary phenomenon. It possesses a mesmerizing power that captivates and influences all who hear it. His voice is a manifestation of ancient wisdom, mystical energy, and personal charisma. To experience his vocalization is to witness something truly magical..
Reviews for "The Musical Witch Doctor: Exploring the Melodic Side of My Enigmatic Friend"
1. Emma - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "The vocalization of my friend the witch doctor". The plot felt disjointed and confusing, and I struggled to connect with any of the characters. The dialogue was also poorly executed, with stilted and unnatural conversations that took me out of the story. Overall, the book lacked coherence and failed to deliver a satisfying reading experience.
2. John - 1/5 - "The vocalization of my friend the witch doctor" was a complete mess. The writing was convoluted and pretentious, making it impossible to follow the story or understand the author's intended message. The characters were shallow and poorly developed, and I found myself not caring about their fates. It felt like the author was trying too hard to be deep and philosophical, but it fell flat for me. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I found "The vocalization of my friend the witch doctor" to be underwhelming. The pacing was sluggish and the story lacked direction. It felt like the author was more focused on creating a poetic narrative than actually telling a coherent story. The descriptions were overly flowery, making it difficult to visualize the scenes. Overall, I struggled to stay engaged with the book and was ultimately left feeling unsatisfied.
4. Mike - 3/5 - While "The vocalization of my friend the witch doctor" had an interesting premise, it failed to fully deliver on its potential. The writing style was overly verbose, making it a chore to read at times. The characters lacked depth and their motivations were unclear, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story. However, there were some moments of brilliance in certain passages, showing glimpses of the author's talent. Overall, it was a mixed bag, and I wouldn't recommend it unless you're a fan of experimental literature.
5. Emily - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The vocalization of my friend the witch doctor", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The narrative was disjointed and hard to follow, jumping between different perspectives and timelines without clear transitions. The metaphors and imagery used were often confusing and did little to enhance the story. Additionally, the book seemed to lack a clear plot or purpose, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, I found it to be a frustrating and confusing read.