In Songs for the Dancing Chicken, Emily Schultz’s debut collection of poetry, the films and life of acclaimed director Werner Herzog become linguistic launch pads, jumping off points for subtle investigations into everyday life. Like her subject, Schultz uses hypnotic images to imbue that everyday life with profound insight.

While fans of Herzog will recognize the details of his amazing life and words from Grizzly Man, Fitzcarraldo, Stroszek, and Nosferatu, Schultz finds the intersection between Herzog’s art and her own poetic voice with authority and verve.

Songs for the Dancing Chicken is part fan letter, part dark cultural translation, and much, much more.