UPDATE: Chico poet and retired Butte College instructor Phillip Hemenway has just released a compelling new collection of poems titled “Core Samples: Poems”, reflecting on life, death, and the passage of time as we approach the New Year. This urgent work is available for $15 at The Bookstore in downtown Chico and the Museum of Northern California Art.
As 2024 approaches, Hemenway’s poignant verses invite readers to engage with the beauty and complexity of life. In his poem about the New Year, he writes of taking a walk with his dog, feeling the nipping wind, and witnessing the joyful innocence of a girl on a rope swing. “Her radiant joy,” he notes, “the purest of all potions against the cold.” This imagery encapsulates the heart of Hemenway’s work—an exploration of past and present intertwined.
Just released, “Core Samples: Poems” takes readers on a journey through Hemenway’s memories, including a vivid trip to the San Diego Zoo where he observes the fluid grace of tigers, and a train ride across a snowless Colorado. The collection also delves into deeper themes, such as loss and memory, particularly in a haunting sequence reflecting on his grandfather’s death in 1985.
Death is a recurring motif in Hemenway’s work. He poignantly addresses his experiences related to the Vietnam War, stating, “I must claim my war the one I did not choose to fight in…” His words resonate with the weight of history and personal struggle, deeply engaging readers as they reflect on their own lives and losses.
As readers prepare to welcome the New Year, Hemenway’s closing thoughts in the collection prompt a powerful sense of hope and renewal. He envisions a future where he will “walk all the dogs I’ve ever known,” and embrace life with unrestrained joy. “I will howl once and expand forever,” he writes, urging us all to celebrate our humanity.
With the New Year just a few days away, Hemenway’s collection serves as both reflection and inspiration, encouraging readers to recognize the beauty in their own stories. The urgency of his message is clear: as life unfolds, we must remain present and open to its myriad experiences.
For those in the Chico area, this collection is a must-read, now available for purchase. Don’t miss the chance to engage with poetry that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human.
Next Steps: Grab your copy of “Core Samples: Poems” today, and let Phillip Hemenway’s words guide you into a new year filled with reflection and possibility.
