UPDATE: As the New Year approaches, Chico poet and retired Butte College instructor Phillip Hemenway invites readers to reflect on time and memory through his newly released poetry collection, Core Samples: Poems, now available for $15 at local bookstores, including The Bookstore in downtown Chico and the Museum of Northern California Art.
Hemenway’s poignant verses, inspired by personal experiences and vivid imagery, capture moments from his past. In one striking poem, he describes a winter walk with his dog, evoking the “glassy wind” of Northern California as he observes a girl joyfully swinging through the trees. With the New Year just around the corner, this collection serves as both a retrospective and a hopeful look toward the future.
The poet’s reflections include diverse experiences—from a visit to the San Diego Zoo, where he marvels at the beauty of tigers, to a cross-country train ride that starkly reminds him of the absence of snow in Colorado. He also delves into the complexities of memory, including a trip to Vietnam where he encounters the weight of history over beers in the Metropole bar.
Death and loss are recurring themes, particularly in a haunting sonnet sequence dedicated to his late grandfather, Merle. Hemenway’s words resonate deeply: “I must claim my war the one I did not choose to fight in…” His poignant tribute to the Vietnam Memorial underscores the impact of conflict and the collective grief of those who lived through it.
“All of us are fatally human,” Hemenway writes, reminding readers of the shared experience of mortality and the importance of embracing life. As he contemplates the upcoming New Year, he envisions a symbolic walk with all the dogs he’s ever known—an act of remembrance and celebration.
This collection is a call to action for readers to engage with their own histories while looking ahead. Hemenway’s vision for the future is vibrant and alive: “I will find a rope swing and work myself into a spectacular blue-toed arc…” Such imagery invites readers to join him in a moment of pure joy as they welcome the New Year.
The emotional weight of Hemenway’s work makes it a must-read for anyone seeking to connect deeply with the themes of time, memory, and renewal. As 2023 draws to a close, his poetry reminds us to cherish our past while embracing what lies ahead.
For those interested in exploring Hemenway’s latest work, Core Samples: Poems offers a unique perspective on the human experience, poised to resonate with audiences far beyond Chico. Don’t miss the opportunity to reflect on the intersection of past and future as you step into the New Year.
Be sure to grab your copy today at local outlets or online to dive into Hemenway’s vivid world of poetry.