Menu

Doctoring in Nicaragua

Category: Poetry - General
Author: Greg Stidham
Publisher: Finishing Line Press
Publication Date: June 4, 2021
Number of Pages: 36
ISBN-10: 164662534X
ISBN-13: 978-1-64662-482-951499

Slim and poignant, Doctoring in Nicaragua by Greg Stidham is a collection of twenty-three short poems that capture the author’s experience as a pediatric ICU physician. In turn observant and lyrical, the poems capture unique moments with the personae, parents grieving the loss of a child, the joy of watching a child recover, or the moment caught between hope and despair while “ the irregular heart / strikes the syncopated / backbeat of the bass lines, / borrows from the undercurrent / of the blues: blue lips, / blue fingertips.” The poems are brimming with captivating imagery and each line carries a weight of its own, a current that reflects what people feel as patients or those taking care of patients.

The author writes about a pain like no other he has ever felt, “except through small pieces / shared by those who have, / parents who’ve lost a child —.” This poet allows readers to experience humanity in what he writes about by connecting with those who experience unimaginable pain, like a mother who holds an infant “… wrapped in dish towel-sized / blue-trimmed baby blankets, / while lips paled almost indiscernibly….” The emotional richness, the sonic richness, and the limpid style of these few poems are exemplary and the author deftly explores the complexities associated with the sheer pain of being human, reminding readers of the fragility of life. This author writes with passion about life, agony, and human pain, alchemizing deeply unique experiences with universal emotions. Greg Stidham’s Doctoring in Nicaragua is a work of rare beauty that poetry fans will read and then read again. This is a wonderfully wrought work of art with universal and eternal currents. 

Reviewed By: Romuald Dzemo

|

Date: September 6, 2022

Featured

Weekly Top Picks

Hand-picked reviews our authors and readers are loving right now

Poetry

The Book Commentary

The Read Down

Essays, author interviews and publishing advice for curious readers and writers.

How Editorial Book Reviews Build Trust Between Authors and Readers
How Editorial Book Reviews Build Trust Between Authors and Readers
Writing and Publishing Advice

How Editorial Book Reviews Build Trust Between Authors and Readers

By The Book Commentary  · 

With over two million books published every year, how do readers decide what to buy—and how do authors break through the noise? The secret lies in trust. Discover how Editorial Book Reviews, ethically leveraged paid book reviews, and prestigious Author Award Contests work together to build instant credibility, boost sa...

Read the article →
Author Sanjay Sabnani Talks About the Power of Discomfort: Turning Pressure into Action, Learning to Receive, and Finding Peace Beyond Striving
Author Sanjay Sabnani Talks About the Power of Discomfort: Turning Pressure into Action, Learning to Receive, and Finding Peace Beyond Striving
Author Interviews Aug 10, 2026

Author Sanjay Sabnani Talks About the Power of Discomfort: Turning Pressure into Action, Learning to Receive, and Finding Peace Beyond Striving

By Sanjay Sabnani

Discover why your brain sabotages success and how to rewire your identity in this ActualizationOS interview on stillness, self-sabotage, and lasting change.

Read the article →
10 Top Editorial Review Sites for Authors: Where to Get Editorial Book Reviews in 2026
10 Top Editorial Review Sites for Authors: Where to Get Editorial Book Reviews in 2026
Writing and Publishing Advice Aug 6, 2026

10 Top Editorial Review Sites for Authors: Where to Get Editorial Book Reviews in 2026

High-quality book reviews for self-published authors are more accessible than ever. Below, we've ranked the 10 top editorial review sites for authors—platforms that combine credibility, reach, and genuine value—to help you choose the right partner for your boo...

Read the article →