Divination with a Human Heart Attached — Emily Stoddard
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.
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.
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.
Emily Stoddard (she/her) is a poet and writer living in Michigan. Her writing has appeared in Tupelo Quarterly, Baltimore Review, Ruminate, Radar, Tinderbox Poetry Journal, Cold Mountain Review, Whitefish Review, and elsewhere. In 2021, she was selected as the nonfiction fellow in the Developmental Editing Fellowship at Kenyon Review. Emily's debut poetry book is forthcoming from Game Over Books and was a finalist for the Orison Poetry Prize, Wren Poetry Prize, and Barry Spacks Poetry Prize. She is also a leader of the Amherst Writers & Artists Method and supports fellow writers through her studio, Voice & Vessel. Connect with her on Instagram (@emily.stoddard) or at emilystoddard.com.