The Penumbra Press Selection Process

For the second year in a row, our team has been fortunate enough to receive a plethora of compelling, captivating, and carefully crafted works. Rather than coming to a quick and unanimous decision, we had many exciting contenders for publication. The viability and printability of these submissions cannot be understated. Yet, we could only publish two this year, a decision that spurred many spirited discussions about theme, tone, mood, structure, and imagery. This exciting process is one of the things we enjoy most about Penumbra, and we are thankful to have had such amazing content made available to us. The poets we selected are true stars of their craft and their poems have earned the respect and admiration of our staff. We are delighted to present their works in the second edition of Penumbra Press.

Luke Valmadrid’s poetry centers around themes such as nostalgia, loneliness, and gripping romance, and they come together in a heartbreakingly beautiful manner. The chapbook is full of vivid imagery that captures the experiences of reminiscing on the past, relationship struggles, and the human experience of loving another person. In the author’s words, the work can be read as “a collage of the past.” After a good day, through the night will feel like catching up with an old friend.

In addition to being thorough in our selection, we at Penumbra Press also wanted to be sure to curate a beautiful cover that would convey powerful images and emotions. After considerable time and careful consideration, we selected Liliana Figueroa-Larios, an art student at Stanislaus State, to create Valmadrid’s cover. We felt that the message of the author was highlighted by the artist’s creation. We hope you enjoy Luke Valmadrid’s

After a good day, through the night.

Notes from the Author - 7

[all the prepositions] you - 8

Apiary, aviary - 9

Horns were enough - 10

When you ask how I’m feeling, I wish - 12

Two times - 13

Illusion of choice - 14

Lacking lilac in the palate - 15

After all, our feet touched the water - 16

After the equinox - 17

Standing in the ceiling - 18

In choosing karmic debt - 19

I’m glad you know what I’m going through - 20

The reservoir as a wishing well - 21

Sixty thousand feet over - 22

Found, even in translation - 23

What is after - 24

Honesty, conditional - 25

This too shall pass - 26

Imagine moving on - 27

Winter wasn’t dry enough - 28