Even Now

Of the many books of poems extant, some leave the reader without a mark, some contain poems that follow you on early morning walks, and then there are books of poems that linger in the mind almost whole. Even Now embodies that kind of poetry, for Patricia L. Hamilton's poems are for those who are passionate about poetry's power. I'm reminded of dancers who weave in and out of a circle around their partners; Hamilton's poems do just that. With cohesive movements through their linked passages of time, they pass down stories of place, desire, and memorable lives.

--Joseph Zaccardi, Poet Laureate of Marin County, California, 2013-15, and author of Songbirds of the Nine Rivers (Sixteen Rivers Press)

In her marvelous latest collection, Even Now, Patricia L. Hamilton writes about her early life with a light, yet vivid touch, including childhood afflictions like asthma and bullying, but also enduring love. She writes of world events like the Vietnam War and the trauma her father experienced in World War II, but more often of small deeds of decency, as in "Random Acts of Kindness," when an older man inadvertently salvages a disappointing dinner out. This is a beautiful, uplifting (without being preachy in the least) collection.

--Robert Cooperman, winner of the Colorado Book Award for Poetry for In the Colorado Gold Fever Mountains (Western Reflections Publishing)

The poems in Patricia L. Hamilton's Even Now are unhurried yet powerful as they draw us into the life of a young girl growing into womanhood. They portray the human comedy and observe everyday life with insight and acceptance, touching on incidents such as Kennedy's assassination as seen through the eyes of a child. As the narrative progresses, the child matures, encounters people from divergent backgrounds, and struggles to reconcile her secure upbringing with an often dangerous and unfeeling world. This is a collection you will want to reread and share.

--Ann Howells, former editor of Illya's Honey and author of Painting the Pinwheel Sky (Assure Press)