The Haywire Heart and Other Musings on Love

Combining mythology and cultural consciousness, The Haywire Heart and Other Musings on Love isn't your typical book of love poetry. It is a damning critique of rape culture, patriarchy, and sexism. The poems explore what is woman, but not only woman-as-body, but woman as a scream against the tyranny surrounding her existence. From the atomic forces that hold us together to current events, The Haywire Heart reflects the idea of testimonio, or testimony, where one voice can act as a witness to multiple wrongs. Rachel Anna Neff is unflinching in her exploration of how myths, legends, and folktales shape cultural values. Her poetic voice is strong and clear, creating a chorus for the daily existence from the mundane to the miraculous. These poems will stick with you long after you put the book down.