The central theme of Human Hours: Poems by Catherine Barnett is rooted in reflection. This collection of poetry centers around the idea that time is a measure of life, not a way to waste it, and living deliberately is the path to true freedom. Catherine Barnett's voice is distinctive in her poems, which explore the power of words in a way that will leave readers mesmerized.
Barnett was born in Michigan and is now a professor at New York University's Department of Creative Writing. She has written two collections of poems, Into Perfect Spheres Such Holes Are Pierced and The Game of Boxes, and Human Hours marks her third book of verse.
Human Hours features 87 poems divided into four parts: Embroidery, Pigeons and Heartbeats, Moonrise, and Other Dark Matter. Each poem weaves words and images together as Barnett reflects on the world around her. From her observations on the beauty of nature and the divine to her musings on the ways in which technology has changed the way we live and interact, the reader is taken on a journey through Barnett's life.
In the first section of Human Hours, Barnett explores the concept of embroidering time through imagery, language, and metaphor. She uses words to stitch together moments and memories, questions and answers, silence and speech. She looks at family, faith, and friends through a gentle lens, making sense of life's experiences and what they can teach us. In these poems, Barnett illuminates the rhythms that connect us to the world.
The second section, Pigeons and Heartbeats, focuses on a number of different topics. Here, Barnett examines isolation, intimacy, and self-discovery. She also looks at the effects of war, specifically the Vietnam War, on individuals and their families. At times, these poems are haunting, as Barnett calls on readers to confront the grim realities of violence and conflict.
In Moonrise, Barnett turns her attention to the natural world. Here she meditates on the heavens and how they tie in to the human experience. Her poems are often laced with wonder and doubt as she contemplates how the universe works and the secrets that it holds. Other poems assess how we interact with the world around us, wondering what it's like to exist in unison with nature, not just aloof from it.
The last section, Other Dark Matter, brings the power of darkness to the forefront. Through storytelling and dreamlike sequences, Barnett shows us a world of danger and despair. She invites us to explore the things that make us shudder and reflect on what lies within our own shadows. In these poems, Barnett encourages readers to face their fears and embrace the unknown.
Human Hours: Poems by Catherine Barnett is a collection of poetry that blurs the distinction between journal entries and lyrics. Barnett's words bring to life a variety of emotions, using language that is both tender and powerful. Above all else, this book encourages us to be mindful of time and make the most of the moments that we have.
