Reviews
"The world in Stacey C. Johnson’s new collection Flight Songs is filled with voices demanding to be heard: “Our voices are what we raise because we have found no other/ way yet, to call attention to those forever without them,/ who died without––.” Each song is one of endurance, hope, and restoration where “buried songs emerged/ from the dust of the husks."
-Leah Huete de Maines, Poet-in-Residence Emerita at Northern Kentucky University
An Admirable and Powerful Collection
Johnson presents a set of contemplative and urgent poems that confront discrimination and the climate crisis. This collection begins with scenes of travelers—displaced but determined refugees who want to stay near their ancestral roots and have freedom of movement. Some of the book’s most moving passages describe the tortuous dynamics of exile, as in “Homeland”: “My people are not the ones to tell you how to think, and I / spent lifetimes wishing they were but we are fluent in the / language of losing it all.” Many poems contain evocative language: “We blew our canvasses across car windows, fingertips tracing: here a smile, now a cat, heart” (“Flame Throwers: A Retrospective”). The works share themes of migration and of the exploitation of colonialism, and the staggered motion of constant displacement has an almost rhythmic quality. Gradually, the poems become more formally inventive. Many include footnotes, which have different effects; some elaborate on historical incidents, and others are more affecting in their detailing of the physical and emotional effects of dispossession. Toward the end of the collection, many poems consist of two columns, side by side, with one showing the perspective of an oppressed people, and the other the colonizer’s point of view. As one reads these poems, up and down or across each column, one gets a keen sense how much these two groups of people are entwined. Still, the poems are not simply about pain and suffering, as the author makes sure to depict the beauty and joy that endures despite hardships. An admirable and powerful collection that’s politically astute and relates grand emotions.
An Immersive Experience
Flight Songs, by Stacey C. Johnson, is an evocative collection of poems that offers an insightful portrayal of human emotions and experiences amidst life’s uncertainties. The collection thoughtfully engages with themes such as survival, resilience, and loss, presenting these complex emotions in a manner that deeply resonates with the reader. The poet’s use of rich, haunting imagery and expressive language captures the essence of human struggle, emphasizing the constant pursuit of hope and humanity even in dire circumstances.
Johnson effectively draws upon motifs such as the reverberations of war and the ephemeral beauty of forgotten melodies, weaving together a tapestry that illustrates the multifaceted nature of existence and the indomitable strength of the human spirit. It is a reflective journey that delves into both individual introspection and the shared experiences of collective memory, revealing the fragile yet resilient nature of life.
Reading Flight Songs is an immersive experience; the collection is filled with profound insights and raw emotional depth. Each poem is a meticulous exploration of themes that are both personal and universal, crafted with a careful choice of words and structured in a way that adds significant depth to the narrative. While I feel that the complexity of some poems may pose somewhat of a challenge in understanding, this aspect enriches the anthology, inviting the reader to engage in a more profound reflection and introspection.
Flight Songs stands out for its genuine and emotionally rich content. Stacey C. Johnson’s collection comes highly recommended for readers who appreciate poetry that not only reflects on life’s realities but also has the power to stir the soul and leave a lasting impact.